Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is in middle on the photo which is collected

BRUSSELS, Belgium, June 18, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on European allies Thursday to step up help for Kyiv to down Russian ballistic missiles and speed up purchases of US weaponry.

"We have the tools, and they are strong enough to put Russia on a path where diplomacy becomes the only choice," Zelensky told Kyiv's backers at a meeting in NATO's Brussels headquarters.

"We all see that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is now relying on one lasting thing: constant missile attacks, and he has ballistic missiles, so we need anti-ballistic capabilities."

Zelensky was in Brussels to meet his military backers and EU leaders in a bid to build on momentum after a positive meeting with US President Donald Trump at the G7.

"The president of the United States is very clear about increasing pressure on Russia to end this terrible war Russia has brought against Ukraine and all of Europe," Zelensky said.

Zelensky called on European countries to speed up purchases of weaponry -- especially Patriot air defence missiles -- for Kyiv under a programme to buy US arms.

"Timing matters, and I know that some countries have already prepared decisions on new contributions," he said.

"Please let us implement these decisions as quickly as possible."

He said Ukraine also needed unmanned ground vehicles and long-range artillery.

Countries including Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden have said they are willing to contribute to buying two more packages of US weaponry expected to be worth $1 billion.

Pentagon official Elbridge Colby said it was "important that NATO allies continue, and indeed increase their support for Ukraine's defence" through the US procurement programme.

"This will help to ensure that key material continues to reach the Ukrainian front line," he said.

Ukraine's backers insisted that now was the time to step up support for Kyiv as it is turning the tables on Russia on the battlefield and pressuring Moscow with long-range strikes.

"We now have a limited window of opportunity. Ukraine's forces are fighting with incredible determination and momentum," said British defence minister Dan Jarvis.

"They are counting on us to help keep them going. We cannot and will not let them down."