Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday said he held talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on strengthening anti-ballistic cooperation and addressing Ukraine's urgent air defence requirements during the NATO summit in Ankara, as Russia continued launching missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities.
In a post on X, Zelenskyy said he updated Meloni on the latest security situation, noting that Russia had once again targeted Ukrainian territory with ballistic missiles and attack drones.
He said, "Russia does not stop attacking our cities and communities. Today, there were ballistic missile strikes again, and attack drones were launched as well. Sadly, there are people killed in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson. Russia has taken the lives of five people. My condolences to their families and loved ones."
Zelenskyy said their discussions focused on expanding joint European efforts to strengthen anti-ballistic capabilities and improve regional security. He emphasised that enhanced missile defence would benefit not only Ukraine but all European nations.
"We discussed the prospects for our joint work in Europe on anti-ballistic capabilities to provide greater protection for everyone — both Ukraine and every country," he said. The Ukrainian leader also stressed the need for additional interceptor missiles to reinforce Ukraine's air defence network, expressing hope for continued Italian support. "We spoke about the need for additional interceptors, and we are counting very much on support. Italy has always helped in a principled way to protect life," he said.
Earlier on Tuesday (local time), US President Donald Trump voiced optimism about the chances of a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, while insisting that his overall assessment of the conflict remained unchanged.
Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the NATO summit in Ankara, Trump said he had held a "very good" conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin a day earlier and had also spoken with Zelenskyy.
Also read: I was testing: Trump 'disappointed' by NATO's reply to Iran war
"I think they both want to make a deal. It's too bad it took so long, but I think there's going to be something that's going to come out," Trump said. "They both want to get it settled now... I think we're going to get it settled. Hopefully soon," he added.
Asked whether anything had changed to make him more hopeful, including whether Putin was prepared to make concessions, Trump responded, "Never changed." "I just don't want them killing people," he said, referring to the ongoing war and its heavy human toll. Trump also remarked that the conflict has a greater impact on Europe than on the United States.
"It doesn't affect us. It affects Europe much more. We're there to help Europe, but it doesn't affect the United States. We have an ocean in between. But, you know, it's just I can't stand watching what's happening," he said.
Describing the destruction caused by the war, Trump added, "People wouldn't believe how violent it is. I've never seen anything like it. It's carnage, and it should stop."
Separately, Zelenskyy on Tuesday urged European allies to accelerate the production of anti-ballistic missile systems, saying Europe must strengthen its defences against Russia's expanding missile capabilities.
Follow us
