Ukraine Requests Patriot Systems and Long-Range Missiles from NATO After Russian Attacks

Ukraine called on NATO countries today to provide additional support in the face of ongoing Russian attacks on its territory, by supplying it with defensive Patriot systems and long-range missiles.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry stated that senior Ukrainian officials discussed in a meeting with their NATO counterparts the necessity of strengthening Ukrainian air defenses to avoid the increasing attacks launched by Russia on Ukrainian cities, which have resulted in dozens of deaths and the destruction of many civilian facilities.

The ministry clarified in a statement that at the conclusion of an emergency meeting with NATO members, Ukraine emphasized the importance of providing Patriot systems and long-range missiles.

It was also confirmed that there is a need to support Ukraine in developing its air defenses in light of the Russian attacks, which included drone strikes and missiles on the capital Kyiv last week, resulting in the deaths of 25 people and massive damage to residential buildings and others.

In this context, France will host an online meeting next Thursday that includes representatives from about 30 countries to discuss efforts to provide security support to Ukraine, including efforts aimed at ensuring Ukraine's security in the event of a peace agreement with Russia.

The position of Moscow, which refuses to negotiate peaceful solutions, will also be addressed, especially after previous diplomatic attempts failed in recent months.

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron stated in an official statement that this meeting comes after talks between European countries and the United States in Washington on August 18, which addressed the issue of security guarantees for Ukraine in the event the war ends.

The statement added that the leaders of the countries and governments will assess the latest developments in this context, focusing on the results of Russia's continued refusal to engage in dialogue.

For its part, the "Alliance of the Willing," established in February between France and Britain, indicated its continued coordination at the military level to provide support to Ukraine, as the participants discussed over the past months deterrent measures against any potential Russian attack after reaching a permanent ceasefire.

In contrast, diplomats believe that these efforts may face a barrier due to the absence of security guarantees from the United States, as the administration of President Donald Trump has not shown any signs of willingness to provide these guarantees so far.

Nevertheless, the scheduled meeting on Thursday will assess the latest military plans put forth by military leaders, aiming to send a message to the U.S. president that progress in talks with Moscow is still far from being realized.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to travel to Paris on Thursday to participate in this meeting, although most leaders will attend online.

As for U.S. participation, it remains uncertain, but diplomatic sources indicated that Washington will follow the latest developments in this matter.

This move comes at a very sensitive time, as military escalation continues in Ukraine and Ukrainian civilians face increasing challenges, necessitating urgent measures to enhance defensive capabilities against aerial attacks and future threats.