Mr. Chairperson,

During the previous FSC meeting, the Russian delegation placed particular emphasis on claiming that the President of Ukraine had not even been invited to take the floor at the NATO Summit.

Russia may continue counting podiums. Ukraine will count concrete decisions, agreements and capabilities that protect human lives.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy participated in the NATO Summit events in Ankara, addressed the NATO Defence Industry Forum and held a series of meetings with Allied heads of state and government, including the President of the United States. On the Summit’s sidelines, Ukraine signed agreements under the Drone Deal framework with the Netherlands, Denmark and Estonia.

Ukraine is grateful to NATO and all Allies for their consistent support for our sovereignty and territorial integrity.

We highly value the Ankara Summit decision under which Allies pledged EUR 70 billion in military equipment, assistance and training for Ukraine in 2026 -2027. This is unity translated into practical capability.

Distinguished Colleagues,

While Allies were strengthening Ukraine’s defence, Russia continued to present its own “peace arguments” through missiles and drones.

From the 9 to 13 July, Russia launched at least 631 aerial attack weapons against Ukraine: 30 missiles and 601 UAVs.

The daily figures expose the systematic nature of this terror: two Iskander-M ballistic missiles and 94 UAVs on 9 July; 137 UAVs on 10 July; 12 missiles and 121 UAVs on 11 July; 13 missiles and 115 UAVs on 12 July; and three Kh-59/69 missiles and 134 UAVs on 13 July. These attacks struck cities, residential areas and civilian infrastructure.

Mr. Chairperson,

Against this background, we express particular appreciation to the United States delegation. Ukraine expects to receive a new package of PAC-3 interceptor missiles for the Patriot system from the United States. These interceptors will protect Ukrainian cities from Russian ballistic missiles.

The meeting between the Presidents of Ukraine and the United States also produced political agreement on a licence for Ukraine to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles.

Localising Patriot munitions production in Ukraine will strengthen the security of Ukraine and Europe.

Ukraine also highly values our partners’ support for developing a European anti-ballistic capability.

On 13 July in Paris, Ukraine presented its Anti-Ballistic Defence Programme and discussed cooperation with partner States and defence companies.

Europe needs a scalable, affordable and mass-produced response to the ballistic threat. Ukraine contributes unique operational experience, engineering expertise and battlefield-tested technologies.

We are equally grateful for contributions through the PURL and JUMPSTART mechanisms and for direct military, financial and economic assistance. These mechanisms save Ukrainian lives in the rear and at the front.

Esteemed colleagues,

Ukraine is also systematically reducing Russia’s capacity to finance and wage its war.

On the 8 of July naval drones of Ukraine's Defence Forces struck 10 tankers linked to Russia’s sanctions-evasion network in the Azov and Black Seas.

Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” circumvents international sanctions, generates oil revenues and sustains the aggressor’s war machine.

Such vessels cannot be portrayed as neutral economic assets when they directly support Russia’s continuing aggression.

For Ukraine, Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’ is no longer in the shadows – we see it. But for Russia it will increasingly entering another shadow: the shadow of the seabed.

Ukraine will continue to take lawful action against the military, logistical and economic infrastructure sustaining Russia’s aggression.

Mr. Chairperson,

The Ankara Summit demonstrated that Russia’s attempts to isolate Ukraine have failed. Our partners are strengthening Ukraine’s air defence, while Ukraine is contributing to Europe’s defence industry and degrading the aggressor’s capacity to wage war.

This is not a path toward escalation. It is a path toward a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter and respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

I thank you, Mr. Chairperson.