Zelenskyy pressures US and Europe for more 'air defense' assistance amid ongoing war with Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging the U.S. and European allies to provide more air defense missiles, particularly Patriots, to protect against Russian attacks. He highlighted a recent massive Russian assault on Kyiv, stating that insufficient interceptor missile supplies hinder Ukraine's ability to defend against ballistic missiles. Zelenskyy expressed hope that the upcoming NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, will yield strong decisions supporting Ukraine's air defense. He believes the U.S. and Europe possess the capacity to halt Russian "terror." Zelenskyy is expected to attend a dinner with NATO leaders during the summit.

Russia launched ballistic missile and drone attacks on Ukraine's Kyiv region on Monday, resulting in at least eight deaths and dozens of injuries. The strikes hit apartment blocks and other buildings, with rescue crews working to extract residents. This assault marks the second major attack on the capital and its surroundings in less than a week, occurring just before a NATO summit in Turkey where US President Donald Trump and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy are expected to discuss the war. The article also notes increased long-range attacks from both sides, with Ukraine targeting Russian energy facilities and Russia reporting drone attacks near Moscow and a Ukrainian strike impacting electricity in Crimea. Fighting continues for the strategic eastern town of Kostyantynivka.

A Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine's Kyiv killed at least 10 people and injured at least 46 on Monday morning, with another person killed and ten injured in surrounding districts. The assault, which damaged over a dozen residential buildings, is the second large-scale attack on the capital in less than a week. Ukrainian authorities reported that Russia fired 68 missiles and 351 drones overnight. This attack occurred after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned of a likely Russian assault ahead of a NATO summit where he is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Ukraine aims to sign defense deals, particularly focused on drone technology and expertise, with at least seven NATO countries by year-end. Having already secured agreements with six nations, including three Middle Eastern states, Azerbaijan, Latvia, and Lithuania, Kyiv is transitioning from a military hardware buyer to a security provider. Ukraine offers its experience in developing radar systems, ground stations, and integrated drone defense capabilities, drawing on its extensive combat experience. These "drone deals" extend beyond just the drones themselves, emphasizing the transfer of knowledge and access to components. The initiative is driven by the growing threat of drone attacks, prompting countries to seek Ukraine's specialized assistance in building effective air defense systems.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa on Wednesday during the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. The White House confirmed these meetings, which come as Ukraine seeks to re-engage Trump on the conflict with Russia, now in its fifth year. Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin recently spoke with Trump to congratulate him on the July Fourth holiday. Trump's discussions with Zelenskyy will focus on the war's front lines, with Ukraine aiming to highlight prospects for ending the conflict. Separately, Trump has publicly suggested Syria should combat Hezbollah, a notion al-Sharaa has reportedly dismissed. Trump will also meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and hold a press conference before returning to the U.S.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump held an 85-minute phone call on Saturday. During the conversation, Putin congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of US independence. The two leaders also discussed the situation in Ukraine, particularly in relation to Trump's upcoming attendance at the NATO summit in Turkey on July 7-8. This was according to Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov. The call focused on these key topics, with the Ukraine settlement being a natural point of discussion given the upcoming NATO meeting.

Syrian state media has announced that French President Emmanuel Macron will soon visit Syria, marking him as the first Western leader to do so since Bashar Assad's ouster in 2024. This visit follows Macron's meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Paris in May 2025, where Macron pledged to advocate for the lifting of sanctions on Syria, many of which have since been removed. While the exact date of Macron's trip is undisclosed, he is expected to be accompanied by French investors and company representatives. The visit comes as Syria faces immense challenges from a prolonged conflict, with significant infrastructure damage and a dire need for substantial financial aid for reconstruction and poverty reduction.

Russia claims its forces have captured the city of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk, a statement Ukraine denies. Russia's Defense Ministry accused Ukraine of refusing a proposed six-hour ceasefire on Monday to allow for the handover of fallen Ukrainian soldiers' bodies. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the Russian claim a lie and an attempt to create a news story, stating Ukrainian forces remain in control. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mocked Zelenskyy's suggestion of a meeting in Kostiantynivka, reiterating an invitation for talks in Moscow. Separately, Russian officials reported one person was killed and two injured in a Ukrainian attack on Russian-occupied Crimea.

Nato's 32 member states will convene in Ankara, Turkey, for their annual summit on July 7-8. The meeting is expected to prioritize discussions on securing peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. Analysts suggest that ongoing conflicts in these regions, along with U.S. pressure on European allies to increase defense spending, may lead to Indo-Pacific security issues taking a secondary role. This is anticipated despite warnings from the Nato chief regarding China's connections with Russia. The summit will be Turkey's first time hosting since 2004.