Zelensky: Air battles will decide Ukraine war before NATO summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Financial Times that the conflict with Russia has entered a new phase, moving from land and sea to the air. He said Ukraine has stopped Russian advances on the ground and limited the Russian navy in the western Black Sea, making control of the skies the decisive factor.

Zelensky emphasized the shortage of air‑defence systems, noting that existing Patriot and SAMP/T batteries are insufficient. He called on NATO leaders at the upcoming summit in Ankara to provide additional interceptors, technology licences and industrial capacity to boost Ukraine’s anti‑air capability, urging that the "sky will decide the outcome of the war."