Kyiv was hit by a wave of Russian missile attacks on the eve of a high‑profile NATO summit, killing at least 19 civilians and prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to call for decisive action from alliance members.
The strikes, reported by Euronews and CNN, involved 68 missiles launched from Russian territory. Ukrainian air‑defence forces were unable to intercept any of the ballistic missiles, according to a statement from Ukraine’s air force cited by The Guardian.
In a televised address, Zelenskyy said the attacks underscored the “urgent need for strong decisions” at the NATO summit, which begins in Washington, D.C., later this week. He urged alliance leaders to accelerate the delivery of long‑range weapons, air‑defence systems and other security guarantees that Kyiv says are essential to repel further Russian aggression.
The president’s appeal comes as the United States prepares for a visit by former President Donald Trump, who is expected to attend the summit despite his earlier criticism of NATO. Ukrainian officials have highlighted the timing of the strikes as an attempt by Moscow to influence the diplomatic agenda.
NATO Secretary‑General Jens Stoltenberg has not yet detailed the summit’s agenda, but previous statements have indicated a focus on bolstering collective defence and addressing the “unprecedented” security challenges posed by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Analysis: Zelenskyy’s push for “strong decisions” reflects both the immediate pressure of the recent attacks and a broader strategic aim to secure faster, more substantial support from Western allies. The failure of Ukraine’s air‑defence to intercept the ballistic missiles may intensify calls for advanced systems such as the Patriot and SAMP/T, which have been highlighted in prior NATO‑Ukraine discussions. The presence of a high‑profile political figure like Trump at the summit could add complexity to negotiations, given his past skepticism toward NATO’s role.
Sources
– Euronews, “Zelenskyy urges ‘strong decisions’ at NATO summit after Kyiv strikes” (via Google News India)
– CNN, “Zelenskyy calls for ‘strong decisions’ at NATO summit as Russia kills 19 in overnight strikes on Kyiv” (via Google News India)
– The Guardian, “Air force: Ukraine failed to intercept any Russian ballistic missiles” (via Google News India)
Story synopsis gathered from: Google News India – World (Indian angle) — source
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