Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defenses with U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the Group of Seven summit in France, including air defense systems and possible licenses for Ukraine to produce anti-ballistic systems and missiles, RBC-Ukraine reported on June 16. Earlier at the G7, Trump played down the possibility of immediate new U.S. sanctions on Russia, despite a European push to impose further sanctions.

Zelensky also presented G7 partners with a "winter package" covering support for Ukraine's energy sector, fuel supplies and critical infrastructure protection. Russia is reportedly on track to produce about 700 Iskander ballistic missiles in 2026, giving Moscow a reliable way to exhaust Ukrainian defenses even if its ground campaign remains slow.