Ukraine-Russia war latest: US tells NATO to ‘boost firepower’ ahead of Trump-Zelensky meeting

Zelensky and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed the possibility of the U.S. supplying natural gas to Ukraine as it struggles with the consequences of Russia’s multiple attacks on the country’s energy system.

Ukraine’s president said he was working to strengthen its air defence as much as possible before winter begins.

Ukraine has prepared its “part of the homework” ahead of Zelensky’s meeting with Trump in Washington on Friday.

He says the agenda will be substantive, and the meeting could bring the war closer to an end.

The Kremlin has hit back at accusations by Donald Trump that the Russian economy is on its way to “collapse”.

Asked about Trump’s remarks at an energy conference in Moscow, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, who oversees energy and the economy for the government, said that Russia had a stable supply of gasoline.

“We have a stable domestic market supply, we see no problems in this regard,” Novak said.

“The balance is maintained between production and consumption, and we, on the part of the government and the relevant ministries, are doing everything to ensure that this remains the case.”

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A meeting of Nato country defence ministers have agreed additional counter-drone measures to step up support to Ukraine, chief Mark Rutte said.

In a post on X he wrote: “Excellent discussions with Defence Ministers, reaffirming increased defence investment, enhanced defence production & stepping up support to Ukraine.

“We will also implement additional counter-drone measures — #NATO is ready to do what it takes to keep our 1bn people safe & our territory secure.”

As war rages on in Ukraine, the country has become reliant on its rail networks, which it has so far managed to keep running despite repeated strikes.

But officials and analysts are warning that advances in Russian drone capabilities and the growing tempo of attacks pose a serious threat to the vital infrastructure.

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Washington may give access to powerful Tomahawk missiles, with Moscow threatening to respond. Experts tell Nicole Wootton-Cane that the weapons could significantly boost Ukraine – but their power shouldn’t be overstated.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stripped Odesa’s long-serving mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov of his Ukrainian citizenship after security services alleged he held a passport from Russia.

Mr Trukhanov, 60, who has governed the Black Sea port city for over a decade, rejected the accusation.

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Ukraine will need between $12 billion and $20 billion worth of military aid next year as part of a new NATO initiative to purchase US weapons, defence minister Denys Shmyhal said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a defence summit in Brussels, he added that Ukraine is capable of producing 10 million drones in 2026 with sufficient financing from allies, but that it also needs more long-range artillery shells as it fights Russian forces.

Ukrainian authorities are introducing emergency power cuts in all but two regions following earlier Russian attacks on the country’s energy system, the energy ministry said on Wednesday.

Officials had earlier implemented planned power cuts in the Donetsk and Chernihiv regions.