Zelenskyy Presses NATO to Admit Ukraine as Russia's Advance Slows to 3.79 sq km a Day
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 7
Zelenskyy Presses NATO to Admit Ukraine as Russia's Advance Slows to 3.79 sq km a Day
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 7
Summary
Zelenskyy told NATO’s annual summit Ukraine should not be kept outside the alliance after building battlefield capabilities that could strengthen collective defense.
More than 90% of Shahed drones are now intercepted, he said, but 23 Russian ballistic missiles hit Kyiv on Monday, killing at least 15 as Ukraine lacked enough US Patriot interceptors.
He urged Europe to develop its own anti-ballistic missile systems, arguing Patriot supplies have tightened after the US used 1,060 to 1,430 interceptors in the spring Iran war.
NATO officials said Russia’s June advance slowed to 3.79 sq km a day while its forces still suffer 30,000 to 35,000 casualties a month and launch thousands of drones and missiles.
Ukraine’s membership bid remains distant because allies including the US oppose admitting a country at war with nuclear-armed Russia, even as Zelenskyy prepares to meet Trump in Ankara.
As Ukraine's drones cripple Russia's economy, can Kyiv close its critical air defense gap before Moscow launches overwhelming retaliation?
With US arsenals depleted after the Iran war, can President Trump's high-stakes diplomacy succeed where weapons have failed?
Ukraine's strikes are costing Russia billions; how long can Moscow's war effort survive this relentless economic assault?
Ukraine’s NATO Membership Drive in 2026: Alliance Discord, Evolving Warfare, and the Race Against Russian Aggression
Overview
Ukraine is urgently appealing for NATO membership, highlighting its advanced drone warfare and strong defensive capabilities as assets for the alliance. Despite high interception rates against drones and cruise missiles, Ukraine remains vulnerable to ballistic missile attacks due to a shortage of Patriot systems, making continued military assistance critical. Meanwhile, Russian forces are advancing more slowly and suffering heavy casualties, but Ukraine’s push for NATO entry faces internal alliance divisions, especially from the United States. These challenges, combined with ongoing conflict and shifting political landscapes, underscore the complex obstacles to Ukraine’s immediate integration into NATO.