Overview
- President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a nightly address that talks with the United States on expanding anti-ballistic missile production have shown little or no progress, prompting Kyiv to seek alternatives in Europe.
- Zelenskiy thanked French President Emmanuel Macron for France’s technical and financial contributions and said Europe is supplying money and know-how to help scale missile-defence systems.
- Ukraine is working to accelerate production of its own anti-ballistic systems on the European continent so it can obtain the larger quantities of missiles and interceptors its forces need.
- Zelenskiy said Ukraine will continue discussions with U.S. representatives and stressed U.S. leadership and expertise remain vital even as Kyiv deepens European cooperation.
- Reporters say U.S.-led diplomatic efforts toward a settlement of the war have stalled as U.S. attention shifts to the conflict with Iran, a development that could slow broader negotiations and affect the timing of aid and production support.