Ukraine's NATO partners pledge continued support as war enters 'critical moment'

ISTANBUL

NATO allies reaffirmed their military commitment to Ukraine on Friday during the 27th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, as officials warned that 2025 marks a turning point in the more than three-year-long war.

The UK and Germany, co-chairs of the meeting, unveiled record military assistance packages and urged partners to step up their support.

UK Defense Secretary John Healey, during a press conference alongside the German, Ukrainian defense ministers, said the international community must act decisively.

"2025 is the critical year for this war in Ukraine, and now is the critical moment in that war, a moment for our defense industries to step up, and they are; a moment for our militaries to step up, and they are; a moment for our governments to step up, and we are," he said.

Healey announced a new £350 million ($445 million) military aid package, part of the UK’s record £4.5 billion ($5.7 billion) in defense support to Ukraine for 2025.

"That’s our highest ever level," Healey added.

The package includes radar systems, anti-tank mines, and "hundreds of thousands of drones," as well as £150 million ($190 million) dedicated to repairing and maintaining battlefield equipment.

Healey criticized Russia’s claims of seeking peace.

"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 negotiations," he said.

Highlighting the changing nature of warfare, Healey said drones have become the most lethal weapon in the conflict, which has continued since February 2022.

"From January through to March, Russia launched over 10,000 glide bombs into Ukraine," he said.

He said the latest pledges, totaling €21 billion ($22.6 billion), send a message.

"We are sending a signal to Putin, but we’re also sending a message to Ukraine. And we are saying to Ukraine: We stand with you in the fight. We stand with you in the peace," Healey said.

For his part, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov thanked NATO partners for what he called "one of the largest assistance packages that we are getting."

"Today, as John announced, we have heard the pledges of €21 billion in Europe, and we are thankful to each nation that has provided this support," he added.

Stressing the urgency of securing more air defense systems, Umerov said: "Integrated air and missile defense is a challenge in a world where Russia strikes daily with hundreds of missiles, cruise, ballistic, hypersonic, and kamikaze drones," he said.

“We are working with our partners to find additional Patriot systems, additional new systems.”

Umerov also addressed the role of the US amid growing European leadership. "The US is our prime partner for both Ukraine and Europe," he said. "They are beside us and focused on peace. It’s a shared responsibility. European partners are taking the lead, and we’re working together."