The government has pledged an additional £450m of military aid to Kyiv. Amid this the UK and Germany are set to host a meeting of 50 countries in Brussels.
Pressure Mounts on Putin Amid UK Aid
Defence officials are gathering to “pile pressure” on Russian President Vladimir Putin and compel him to stop his invasion of Ukraine, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
“We must step up to deter Russian aggression by continuing to bolster Ukraine’s defences,” he added.
The package covers financing for hundreds of thousands of drones, anti-tank mines and vehicle repairs.
Breakdown of the Aid Package of UK
Approximately £350m will be provided by the UK, with additional financing coming from Norway. This additional funding will come through the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.
The package covers £160m to finance repair and maintenance on vehicles and equipment already provided by the UK to Ukraine.
A “close run thing” military assistance package, with the provision of funds for radar equipment, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones, costing over £250m is also included in the package, according to the government.
Healey Emphasises Importance of Support
Healey said the work of the group “is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position”.
“We cannot jeopardise peace by forgetting the war, which is why today’s major package will surge support to Ukraine’s frontline fight,” he said.
“2025 is the critical year for Ukraine, Our job as defence ministers is to put into the hands of the Ukrainian war fighters what they need.”
The fund comes after a string of military commitments to Ukraine by the UK. Last month, Sir Keir Starmer made a £1.6bn missile agreement for Ukraine.
In the wake of a gathering of European leaders in London. A top of a £2.2bn loan to give more military assistance, sanctioned by profits from Russian frozen assets.
The Lib Dems described the Friday support package as “small change.” They urged the government to confiscate Russian assets in Britain to provide Ukraine with more funds.
“While we welcome any increase in support for Ukraine, this package is small change compared to what’s needed to combat Putin’s barbaric war,” the party’s defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire said.
Shift in US Role on Ukraine
Healey and his German co-chair, defence minister Boris Pistorius, are hosting Friday’s meeting. The people in attendance in the meeting will be the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. Traditionally this meeting was chaired by the US defence secretary until January when Donald Trump became president.
In an indication of the US retreating from European security issues, Healey has since become the chair.
It was preceded by an identical conference by defence ministers representing 30 members of the Franco-British-led “coalition of the willing”, held in Brussels for talks on setting up a force in Ukraine for the sake of lasting peace.
Healey said he did not envisage “a reassurance force” that will “separate the currently warring sides down the line of contact”, according to a news agency, but added that bolstering Ukraine’s armies would be a key part of the plan.
