Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy argued in Ankara Tuesday that his country's experienced forces would strengthen NATO’s defenses as he renewed his call for Kyiv to join the military alliance.
At the same time, he urged Ukraine's backers to step up help for the country's air defenses as it struggles with shortages of crucial interceptors to shoot down Russian missiles.
"Do you really believe it would be right to live outside NATO, a country and a people with this level of defensive capability?" Zelenskyy said in a speech on the sidelines of the summit.
"Ukraine in NATO is a source of extraordinary defensive capability."
Zelenskyy renewed calls for Ukraine to be granted membership despite U.S. President Donald Trump firmly shutting the door on Kyiv becoming part of the Western military alliance.
The U.S. leader has poured cold water on Ukraine's long-standing push to join NATO as he has sought to bring an end to more than four years of war with Russia.
Ukraine has recently appeared to turn the tide on the Kremlin in the conflict as it has stabilized the front line and carried out damaging strikes deep inside Russia.
But despite being able to tackle the swarms of Russian drones targeting the country daily, Kyiv has difficulty shooting down ballistic missiles as its air defenses run low.
"We are capable of doing everything else ourselves, but when it comes to air defense, we need our partners' determination," he said.
"Please let more determination and more decisions for air defense be one of the key outcomes of this NATO summit."
The Ukrainian leader said current production levels of the U.S.-made Patriot missiles were not sufficient as he called on allies to press Washington to let Kyiv produce them under licence.
He also urged European nations to work with Ukraine to produce their own cheaper version of the technologies.
"Europe needs affordable mass-produced anti-ballistic systems as soon as possible. In fact, today," he said.
Before arriving in Ankara, Zelenskyy had also reiterated the same demands to better protect his country against Russian missiles.
"Decisions are needed now that will provide greater protection for our people, more capabilities for our defense, and even stronger security cooperation between Ukraine, Europe, and the United States," Zelenskyy wrote Tuesday on X.
He said he has planned almost 20 one-on-one meetings with different NATO leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Zelenskyy is also expected to meet U.S. President Donald Trump.
Zelenskyy suggested Ukraine could produce U.S.-built Patriot air defense missiles itself, but would require licences and approval from the United States.
"We will continue to work on bolstering Ukraine's air defense," he said.
His comments came after Russia fired missiles and drones into apartment buildings in Kyiv on Monday, killing at least 26 people.