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UK Announces New Military Support Package for Ukraine Ahead of Brussels Meeting
The government has unveiled a further £450 million package of military aid for Kyiv, as the United Kingdom and Germany are set to host a gathering of 50 nations in Brussels. This additional support aims to bolster Ukraine’s defenses amid the ongoing conflict. The Brussels meeting will focus on coordinating further international assistance and increasing pressure on Russia.
Defense Officials to Intensify Pressure on Russia
Defense officials are convening to intensify pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin and compel him to end the invasion of Ukraine, stated UK Defence Secretary John Healey. He emphasized the necessity of strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities to deter further Russian aggression.
Details of the Military Aid Package
The newly announced support package includes:
- Funding for hundreds of thousands of drones
- Anti-tank mines
- Repairs to military vehicles
Approximately £350 million of the funding will be provided by the UK, with supplementary contributions from Norway channeled through the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine. A significant portion, £160 million, is specifically allocated to the repair and maintenance of vehicles and equipment previously supplied to Ukraine by the UK.
Furthermore, a substantial military aid package, valued at over £250 million and focused on close-range combat, will furnish Ukraine with radar systems, anti-tank mines, and hundreds of thousands of drones, according to government sources.
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Importance of Sustained Support for Ukraine
Healey underscored the critical importance of the group’s work in ensuring Ukraine is in the strongest possible position. “We must not jeopardise peace by overlooking the ongoing war. This significant package will surge support to Ukraine’s frontline efforts,” he asserted.
“2025 is a crucial year for Ukraine. Our responsibility as defense ministers is to equip Ukrainian forces with the necessary resources for combat,” Healey added, highlighting the long-term commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense.
Context of UK Military Pledges
This fund is a continuation of the UK’s series of military pledges to Ukraine. Prior commitments include a £1.6 billion missile agreement announced last month by Sir Keir Starmer, following a European leaders’ summit in London. This was in addition to a £2.2 billion loan, backed by profits from frozen Russian assets, intended to deliver further military assistance.
Criticism and Calls for Further Action
The Liberal Democrats have characterized the support package unveiled on Friday as “modest” and have urged the government to seize Russian assets within Britain to provide Ukraine with more substantial funding. Helen Maguire, the party’s defense spokeswoman, stated, “While any increase in support for Ukraine is welcomed, this package is limited given the scale of what is required to counter Putin’s brutal war.”
UK and Germany Co-Chair Ukraine Defense Meeting
Healey and his German counterpart, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, are co-chairing Friday’s Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. Historically, this meeting was hosted by the US defense secretary, but leadership transitioned after Donald Trump’s presidency commenced in January. Healey has assumed the role of chair, indicating a shift in European security dynamics.
Broader Discussions on European Security
The meeting follows a recent gathering of defense ministers from 30 nations in the Franco-British-led “coalition of the willing,” convened in Brussels to deliberate on establishing a force within Ukraine to ensure lasting peace.
Healey clarified that he does not foresee a “reassurance force” designed to “separate the currently warring parties along the line of contact,” according to AFP news agency. However, he emphasized that strengthening Ukraine’s armed forces remains a central component of the strategic plan.
Background of Diplomatic Efforts
Former US President Trump had previously claimed he could resolve the war in Ukraine within 24 hours. However, his attempts to mediate the conflict have yielded limited results to date. In March, President Putin rejected Trump’s proposition for an immediate month-long ceasefire, which Kyiv had agreed to. Putin instead offered to halt attacks solely on energy infrastructure.
Ongoing Conflict on the Frontlines
As diplomatic progress remains stalled, active combat persists on the front lines between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged, for the first time publicly, the presence of Ukrainian troops operating within Russia’s Belgorod region, bordering Ukraine.
Ukrainian forces have also been engaged in fighting within Russia’s Kursk region, although Russian forces have since regained control of most of that territory. On Thursday night, Russia launched drone attacks against Ukraine, resulting in injuries to at least four individuals in the Kharkiv region, according to the regional governor. Russian state media reported that drones originating from Ukraine were also intercepted in the Kursk and Belgorod regions.