During a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, allies committed to providing Kyiv with new military aid totaling $35 billion. Additionally, European partners are launching the "Elsa" project to create long-range drones.
This was reported by Hvylya, citing media sources.
UK Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed the record support package. London, for its part, announced the allocation of £500 million for the urgent strengthening of Ukraine's air defenses.
"We are more united and resolute than ever. We will step up military support for Ukraine. We will step up pressure on Russia, and we want 2026 to be the year this war ends, the year we secure peace," Healey emphasized.
Germany also initiated efforts to strengthen air defenses. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius proposed a "5+30" scheme: Berlin will transfer five interceptor missiles for Patriot systems if other partners collectively provide another 30 units.
"This is a matter of days, not weeks or months. So I can tell you we are on the right track," the German minister stated, adding that the issue is about saving lives.
A crucial decision was the signing of a letter of intent regarding the Elsa (European Long-range Strike Approach) project. Germany, France, the UK, Poland, and Sweden plan the joint procurement of combat drones with a flight range exceeding 500 kilometers. These weapons are intended to penetrate enemy defense systems and strike targets deep in the rear, analogous to Russia's use of Shahed drones.
Ukraine's new Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, commenting on the meeting's results, called on partners not only for military supplies but also for economic pressure on the aggressor.
"Today we appeal to all partners not only to support Ukraine but to significantly increase sanctions pressure on Russia. It is important to limit the activities of the Russian 'shadow fleet' and stop all Russian tankers worldwide. Only in this way will Russia no longer be able to sustain this war," Fedorov wrote on social media.
Separately, the Czech ammunition initiative was discussed. Czech Defense Minister Jaromir Zuna noted that plans for 2025 are ambitious, but their implementation depends on donor funding. Currently, only €1.4 billion of the necessary €5 billion has been secured.
