Ukraine’s international supporters have pledged €21 billion in additional military assistance during a high-level meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), held Friday at NATO headquarters in Brussels. The gathering included 51 participating countries and partners, now co-led by Germany and the United Kingdom.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced that Germany alone will contribute €11 billion in support through 2029—marking the country’s largest military aid package for Ukraine to date. The UK also reaffirmed its commitment, with Defence Secretary John Healey confirming £4.5 billion in support this year, the highest contribution the UK has made so far.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov emphasized the urgency of continued aid, warning that Russia is intensifying its weapons production. He noted that Europe has stepped up in leading the provision of security support, expressing gratitude to the UK and European partners.
While the United States was not physically present at the meeting, Secretary of State Pete Hegseth participated remotely. Umerov confirmed that U.S. military aid remains ongoing, despite the shift in leadership within the group.
A critical concern raised during the meeting was Ukraine’s limited air defence. Russia has launched over 10,000 glide bombs and is deploying roughly 100 attack drones daily, putting immense pressure on Ukrainian defences.
“Air defence remains a global challenge,” said Pistorius. “We are pushing forward as fast as possible to meet Ukraine’s urgent needs.”
The latest commitments highlight a continued, unified effort among Ukraine’s allies to reinforce its defence capabilities amid ongoing Russian aggression.
