News Feed

Several countries support Germany's initiative to find air defense equipment for Ukraine

2 min read
Several countries support Germany's initiative to find air defense equipment for Ukraine
Ukrainian servicemen of a mobile air defense unit of the 117th Mechanized Brigade wait for potential air threats at a position in the Zaporizhzhia Oblast, on April 6, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Roman Pilipey /AFP via Getty Images)

A number of countries backed Germany's initiative to find air defense equipment for Kyiv at the 22nd Ramstein-format summit of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) on May 20.

The initiative to find air defense systems for Ukraine will be funded by Belgium, Denmark, Canada, the Netherlands, and Norway, Germany's Defense Ministry said in its post on X (formerly Twitter).

Other countries, including, Belgium, France, the U.K., Lithuania, Romania, Spain, the United States have promised to help with "equipment and missiles"while and Latvia has expressed a desire to join the initiative.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivered the opening remarks at the summit, emphasizing that the new Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast has added to the urgency of the West's support for Ukraine.

The summit includes defense ministers and officials from nearly 50 countries to continue coordinating military support for Ukraine.

Austin described the ongoing defense against the Russian offensive in Kharkiv Oblast as a "hard and dangerous fight." He added that it "just underscores the importance" of the summit. The secretary concluded that "the weeks and months again are crucial" and urged Ukraine's Western allies to increase their support.

Ukraine war latest: Ukrainian forces control 60% of Vovchansk; heavy battles continue in Kharkiv Oblast
Key developments on May 20: * Deputy governor: Ukraine controls around 60% of Vovchansk * General Staff: Ukraine fights off Russian attack near Starytsia village in Kharkiv Oblast * Governor: Ukraine strikes Russian base in occupied Luhansk Oblast * Russian media: Oil refinery in Russia’s Krasn…
Article image
News Feed
 (Updated:  )

The two leaders began their meeting at the U.S. military Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage at around 11:30 a.m. local time. The event will mark their first face-to-face talks of Trump's second term and their first meeting in six years, as well as Putin's first visit to U.S. soil in a decade.

The Kyiv Independent visited the front-line city of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast to hear from its residents what they think about the prospects of land swaps between Ukraine and Russia ahead of the Trump-Putin meeting in Alaska.

Show More