Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Brussels on Wednesday for the EU summit carrying a fresh set of pledges from the G7 meeting in Évian-les-Bains. The commitments, which include additional air defence systems, long-range capabilities, and a potential license for Ukraine to manufacture its own interceptor missiles, mark a rare moment of transatlantic unity after months of fractious debate.
“The G7 Summit in France delivered important results for Ukraine. Most importantly, we agreed on additional strengthening of Ukraine’s air defence,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “Our partners will ensure support for our defence and energy resilience,” he added, noting that new sanctions and pressure on Russia would follow.
Air Defence Boost and Domestic Production Hopes
In a joint statement, G7 leaders committed to increasing deliveries of weapons, including air defence systems and long-range capabilities. Perhaps more significant is the signal that Ukraine may soon be allowed to produce anti-ballistic interceptor missiles on its own soil. “We are ready to consider extending to Ukraine the benefit of licenses to allow for an increase in Ukraine’s military production,” the statement read.
Kyiv has long sought the ability to build interceptors for the Patriot system, the only surface-to-air missile in its arsenal capable of countering Russia’s ballistic missile threat. Produced in the United States by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, Patriot systems have become a cornerstone of air defence for many US allies, particularly in the Gulf region, as well as for Ukraine. However, the US-Israel conflict with Iran has depleted nearly a third of global Patriot interceptor stockpiles; Gulf states alone have fired more than 1,100 interceptors in recent months.
Lockheed Martin produces roughly 600 interceptors annually — about 60 to 65 per month — while Ukraine estimates Russia can manufacture around 120 ballistic missiles monthly, along with other types. Moscow has exploited this shortage, launching over 30 ballistic missiles per night against Ukrainian cities. Zelenskyy confirmed he raised the licensing issue again with US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit.
Shifting US Rhetoric on Russia
Since Trump’s return to the White House, Zelenskyy has invested considerable effort in convincing the US president that the main obstacle to peace is Moscow, not Kyiv. For a time, Washington appeared to pressure Ukraine more than Russia, urging Kyiv to accept what many saw as an unfavourable compromise. At the G7 meeting on Tuesday, however, Trump said that “Russia should make a deal,” potentially signalling a shift in approach.
“They just keep going, fighting, losing soldiers. They lose so many soldiers. This is...not since World War Two is anything like this,” Trump said. Yet even if Washington now leans harder on Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin continues to reject direct talks with Kyiv. Zelenskyy has welcomed the growing consensus among G7 leaders — including the US president — that Putin is deliberately prolonging the conflict.
The EU summit in Brussels is expected to build on the G7 momentum, with discussions on further sanctions, energy resilience, and long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. The broader European context remains tense: the war has strained transatlantic relations, tested NATO cohesion, and reshaped energy markets across the continent. For now, Zelenskyy’s visit signals that Ukraine’s allies are willing to move beyond rhetoric and deliver tangible military and diplomatic support.
