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Ukraine’s Western allies have pledged a record €21 billion ($23.8 billion) in new military support as Kyiv faces an intensifying Russian offensive and uncertain prospects for peace. The commitment was announced during a Ukraine Defense Contact Group summit at NATO headquarters on April 11, 2025.

The new pledge underscores a strategic recalibration as European nations assume greater responsibility in supporting Ukraine’s defense.

Co-chaired by Germany and the United Kingdom, the meeting brought together representatives from 51 countries to discuss further military support for Ukraine. The €21 billion pledge includes the UK’s record £4.5 billion ($5.8 billion) commitment for this year, the largest contribution the country has made to date, according to UK Defense Secretary John Healey.

The European allies reaffirmed long-term backing for Ukraine even as U.S. involvement appears to wane under President Donald Trump’s administration.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who jointly led the summit, offered a stark assessment of the conflict’s trajectory. “Given Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must concede peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future,” he said. “Russia needs to understand that Ukraine is able to go on fighting, and we will support it.”

Germany announces further military aid for Ukraine

At the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels, Acting German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed a new military aid package for Ukraine, including guided missiles, 100,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, 300 reconnaissance drones, 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 15 Leopard 1A5 tanks, and 120 Manpads air defense systems. Additionally, 30 Patriot missiles have recently been delivered.

Pistorius stated that Russia’s continued aggression is causing increasing civilian casualties, and peace remains “out of reach in the immediate future.” Germany has committed to providing €11 billion ($12.5 billion) in military aid to Ukraine by 2029, though it cannot supply new Patriot systems as it is awaiting its own deliveries. “We need a militarily strong Ukraine,” Pistorius added.

European allies take charge as U.S. support for Ukraine scales down

With Washington no longer chairing the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meetings—a role it had held since their inception in the Ramstein format—Europe has stepped into the leadership void.

The United Kingdom pledged £4.5 billion for 2025 alone, its largest military commitment to Ukraine to date. Of that, £450 million is earmarked for immediate support, including £160 million for vehicle maintenance and £250 million for anti-tank mines, radar systems, and drone procurement.

British Defence Secretary John Healey reiterated the need for sustained and focused backing. “Putin said he wanted peace, but his forces continue to fire on Ukraine, military and civilian targets alike,” he said. “Our planning for the coalition of the willing is indeed real, substantial, well-advanced.”

The coalition—comprising nations prepared to maintain Ukraine’s security in the event of a ceasefire without U.S. participation—met separately in Brussels. Healey emphasized that any peacekeeping role would focus on providing air and maritime security rather than deploying European ground troops.

While U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth joined the summit via video link, Washington’s absence from a leadership role was evident. Former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had previously chaired the UDCG meetings. Now, Trump’s administration is pursuing a different approach, emphasizing a swift resolution to the war through diplomatic channels.

Steve Witkoff, a special envoy appointed by the Trump administration, traveled to Moscow on Friday for talks with Russian President Putin. This was the third meeting between Putin and Witkoff, who has taken a lead role in U.S. backchannel discussions with Moscow. Neither the U.S. nor Russia has provided any details of the meeting held in St. Petersburg, the Russian side described the four-hour-long talks as “productive”.

Meanwhile, Trump appeared to pressure the Kremlin in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social. “Russia has to get moving. Too many people are dying, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war,” he posted.

Zelenskyy presses for urgent air defense support

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking from his hometown of Kryvyi Rih, which was recently targeted in a deadly Russian missile strike, stressed that air defense remains Kyiv’s most urgent need.

“Focus, first and foremost, on air defense for Ukraine. We truly need it. Ten Patriot systems — the free world has them,” he said, urging UDCG nations to prioritize the delivery of modern air defense capabilities.

According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, Russia has launched over 10,000 glide bombs and around 100 attack drones daily since March. While allies are working to ramp up deliveries, gaps in coverage remain. Pistorius acknowledged that Germany cannot currently supply additional Patriot systems, as it awaits incoming deliveries itself.

Europe steps up as security provider

Beyond immediate battlefield needs, European ministers stressed a broader shift in strategic posture. Pistorius called on European nations to “take on more responsibility as Europeans together with the UK,” noting that Europe can no longer rely solely on U.S. guarantees.

Umerov echoed that idea, praising the growing European leadership. Europe is now “taking the lead in security assistance, for which we are thankful to the U.K. and Europe,” he said.

With Russia continuing to reject temporary ceasefire proposals and seeking maximalist concessions—including control over occupied regions and a NATO ban for Ukraine—the path forward remains fraught. Yet, amid uncertainty over U.S. foreign policy direction, Friday’s €21 billion commitment signals a determined effort by Ukraine’s allies to ensure that Kyiv has the resources to endure and ultimately prevail.

We stand with Ukraine in the fight.

And we will stand with Ukraine in the peace.

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— John Healey (@JohnHealey_MP) April 11, 2025