Zelenskyy Urges NATO to Boost Ukraine Defence Investment Ahead of Summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday called on NATO allies and Western defence companies to dramatically increase investments in Ukraine’s defence industry and clamp down on the flow of Western-made components ending up in Russian weapons.

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Speaking in The Hague ahead of the NATO summit, Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s defence production capacity now exceeds $35 billion, producing over 1,000 types of weapons including artillery, armoured vehicles, drones, and missiles. 

However, he said around 40% of this capacity remains underfunded due to lack of financial support.

“We can produce over eight million drones annually, but current financing allows for far fewer,” Zelenskyy told the NATO Defence Industry Forum. He appealed for greater joint production partnerships. 

“We are open to cooperation with those who help the most.”

Zelenskyy also warned that despite sanctions, Russia continues to acquire foreign components critical to its war machine. 

“No major Russian weapon is built today without imported parts, including from some European and NATO countries. 

This must stop,” he said, calling the supply of such materials “a crime against peace.”

The NATO summit, opening Wednesday, is expected to endorse a proposed increase in defence spending to 5% of GDP — a target strongly backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized European allies for insufficient military budgets. 

Zelenskyy endorsed the new target, stating, “A united Europe with higher defence spending will end Russia’s illusion that war with Europe can bring it any gains.”

Though many NATO members have raised defence spending since Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion, several still struggle to meet even the current 2% target. 

The EU has recently outlined a €800 billion plan to boost defence capabilities by 2030.

However, Ukraine’s NATO membership hopes remain on hold. The upcoming summit declaration is expected to offer only limited language on Ukraine’s path to membership — a downgrade from previous pledges.

Zelenskyy’s latest European tour, which included stops in London and The Hague, comes as the EU prepares its 18th sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy and financial sectors, amid continued concerns over sanctions circumvention.