Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to use a NATO meeting in Turkey to urge allies to deliver urgently needed air defense systems to protect against escalating Russian attacks.

The call for help comes with extra intensity after Russian missiles struck Kyiv twice in less than a week, hitting apartment blocks and killing more than 50 civilians.

The Ankara summit also offers Zelenskyy a crucial meeting with Donald Trump to argue that Russia's "brutal" attacks are a sign of weakness, not strength, and that Vladimir Putin should be pressured into talks for a "dignified" peace.

The latest strikes on Ukraine coincide with Kyiv's stepped-up long-range drone attacks on Russia, hitting oil refineries and military targets, causing significant fuel shortages and power cuts.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte urged member states to "pull their weight" and ensure Ukraine gets what it needs to defend its sovereignty.

Ukraine's air force daily tallies Russian missiles and drones launched. On Monday, almost all drones were intercepted, but the failure rate for missiles was glaring: not a single ballistic missile was stopped.

Zelenskyy noted that Patriot systems are in short supply worldwide, and it's unclear how many would be enough if Russia escalates further. Hence, Ukraine plans to produce its own equivalent with NATO help.

Ukrainian drones now strike military logistics, oil refineries, and power plants in Crimea almost daily, causing power cuts, fuel and food shortages. A local resident described the situation as "catastrophic."

Zelenskyy will argue to NATO and Trump that Ukraine has turned the tide in the war and that its pressure campaign can, with help, compel Russia to engage in proper peace negotiations.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk