UK and Germany unite to rally global defence support for Ukraine
The UK Government has unveiled a substantial new military aid package worth £450 million to bolster Ukraine’s ongoing defence against Russian aggression. This announcement coincides with a pivotal gathering of 50 nations hosted jointly by the UK and Germany in a renewed show of international solidarity with Kyiv.
The 27th session of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, scheduled for Friday, will be jointly chaired by UK Defence Secretary John Healey and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
Traditionally led by the US Defence Secretary, the chairing responsibility shifted to Mr Healey following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency in January, highlighting a perceived withdrawal of American leadership in European security affairs.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed that this significant military aid package will be delivered through a collaboration between British and Ukrainian suppliers. The intention is to significantly enhance Ukraine’s military resilience as it continues to resist ongoing Russian assaults.
“The work of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and pile pressure on Putin to help force him to end this terrible war,” said Defence Secretary John Healey.
The latest package includes £350 million directly from the UK and additional funds contributed by Norway through the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine.
A central component of this aid is £160 million earmarked for the repair and maintenance of vehicles and equipment previously supplied by Britain, forming partnerships between UK firms and Ukrainian industry.
Also notable is the inclusion of a “close fight” military aid package, valued at over £250 million. This will deliver:
- Advanced radar systems
- Anti-tank mines
- Hundreds of thousands of drones
The funding for this initiative comes from both UK and Norwegian sources and builds on the drone capability coalition, spearheaded by the UK and Latvia.
Mr Healey will tell the assembled contact group: “We cannot jeopardise peace by forgetting the war, which is why today’s major package will surge support to Ukraine’s frontline fight. The year 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. We must step up to deter Russian aggression by continuing to bolster Ukraine’s defences.”
In parallel, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to meet EU finance ministers on Friday to advocate for enhanced collaboration on defence financing. She will participate in discussions in Warsaw at the informal ECOFIN meeting.
A Treasury official stated: “A strong economy needs a strong national defence. That is why the Chancellor will be travelling to Warsaw to make the case for deeper defence financing cooperation with our European allies so together we deliver greater economic and national security in a changed world.”
The Liberal Democrats have welcomed the increased support but described the package as insufficient. Their defence spokeswoman, Helen Maguire, stated: “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. John Healey is right: 2025 is a critical year. But Britain needs to do more.
The UK must lead the charge in seizing the Russian assets held here in Britain – funnelling oligarchs’ money to back Zelensky’s brave defence of Ukraine’s sovereignty. Without that, we risk failing Ukraine in their hour of greatest need.”
Adding to the strategic perspective, Nick Thomas-Symonds, Minister for European Union Relations, wrote in The i Paper that it is essential for the UK’s relationship with Europe to grow in order to tackle emerging global threats.
“But we cannot consider the safety of people here in the UK and in neighbouring EU countries without looking at the root cause of the instability we’re facing: the fast-changing and increasingly volatile nature of world affairs right now, including Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine,” he said.
He added that he is “more certain than ever” that “by pursuing a closer security and defence relationship, we will keep people across our continent safer.”
