Ukraine’s allies today agreed a record 21 billion euros (£18.2 billion) of military support for Kyiv, with a warning that peace with Russia is still ‘out of reach’.
Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK would spend a record £4.5 billion on defence aid this year that includes manufacturing drones and supplying anti-tank mines.
He spoke at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels, which the US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth did not attend in person, instead dialling in remotely.
However, other defence ministers insisted the US remained involved in supporting Kyiv, despite the Trump administration’s attempts to end the fighting through appeasing Putin.
German defence minister Boris Pistorius suggested that US efforts were not working, telling a joint press conference: ‘Given Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must concede peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future.
‘We will ensure that Ukraine continues to benefit from our joint military support.
‘Russia needs to understand that Ukraine is able to go on fighting and we will support it.’
Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK would spend a record £4.5 billion on defence aid this year that includes manufacturing drones and supplying anti-tank mines.
He spoke at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels, which the US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth did not attend in person, instead dialling in remotely.
German defence minister Boris Pistorius suggested that US peace efforts were not working, telling a joint press conference: ‘Given Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must concede peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future.’
Britain is to build hundreds of thousands of drones to be sent to the Ukrainian frontline as part of a £450 million aid package.
Mr Healey said the move would support UK jobs and boost economic growth as well as supporting Ukraine against Russia.
Drone casualties in Ukraine now outnumber those inflicted by artillery, the Defence Secretary said today as he condemned Vladimir Putin‘s rejection of a ceasefire.
‘Today is one month to the day in which Russia rejected President Trump’s peace settlement,’ Mr Healey said.
‘Putin said he wanted peace but he rejected a full ceasefire; Putin said he wanted peace but he continues to drag his feet and delay the negotiations; Putin said he wanted peace, but his forces continue to fire on Ukraine – military and civilian targets alike.
‘From January through to March, he launched over 10,000 glide bombs into Ukraine.
‘He is launching over 100 one-way attack drones every day and we’ve reached the point now where those battlefield casualties on both sides inflicted by drones now way outnumber those inflicted by artillery.
‘In our calculations, 70-80 per cent of battlefield casualties are now caused and inflicted by drones.’
As chair of the meeting, the UK has secured ambitious pledges for Ukraine from donor countries.
Drone casualties in Ukraine now outnumber those inflicted by artillery, the Defence Secretary said today as he condemned Vladimir Putin’s rejection of a ceasefire.
The talks in the Belgian capital are also a chance for Western allies in the ‘coalition of the willing’ to discuss plans for a post-war peacekeeping force.
Last night, officials said the countries involved in putting together such a force feel a ‘sense of urgency’ – this despite Russia continuing to oppose a peace deal and any Western soldiers being sent to Ukraine to protect a ceasefire.
The contact group consists of 50 nations working together to coordinate their military support for Ukraine, to ensure the fastest delivery of supplies.
The latest support package includes £160 million to repair and maintain military vehicles, a partnership with British and Ukrainian engineering companies.
Ukraine is also purchasing radar systems, anti-tank mines and anti-drone capabilities from funds secured by the contact group.
The drones being supplied include highly maneuverable first-person view (FPV) drones to attack targets, and drones which can drop explosives on Russian positions.
These types of drones are reported to be responsible for 60-70% of damage currently caused to Russian equipment.
Concerns continue over whether the US will provide any security guarantees for a stabilization force. European allies are particularly dependent on the US to provide air cover, air defence and intelligence capabilities.
US ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is poised to quit her post and return from Kyiv.
President Trump has previously cut off US military and intelligence support to Ukraine, to the chagrin of the country’s president Volodymyr Zelensky
Last night, it was reported that the US’s ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink intends to resign. She was nominated by former president Joe Biden.
If confirmed, she would be one of the highest-ranking diplomats to leave the State Department since President Trump took office.
In that time he has temporarily cut off the US’s military support, including high tech intelligence assets, and forced Ukraine to sacrifice territory and agree a temporary ceasefire.
The US has also pressured Ukraine in a bid to sign multiple deals over its natural energy resources, seemingly as payback for the US’s military support.
Mr Pistorius told today’s press conference that Mr Hegseth addressed defence ministers at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with some ‘interesting and correct assessments’ about what Europeans have been doing since the start of the year.
‘In terms of the participation of Pete Hegseth, virtually or physically here in Brussels, it’s not a matter of priorities. I think it’s a matter of schedules.’
He said the ‘most important fact was that he took part’.
