“Heaven and earth” have been moved by western nations to defend Ukraine, declared US defence secretary, Lloyd Austin, today, speaking from Ramstein air base in Germany, writes Josh Schlicht.
The 24th summit of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), attended by Zelensky, Austin, the UK’s defence secretary John Healey, and other top NATO defence officials, resulted in some big new commitments from members of the 50-nation cohort. The US dedicated $250 mn in additional armaments, Germany pledged new artillery pieces and air defence systems, and the UK promised a package of 650 lightweight multirole missiles for air defence valued at £162 mn.
While expressing gratitude for the sustained support, Zelensky eagerly reiterated his request to use western-donated long-range weapons to hit Russian assailants on their home soil. Ukraine’s President insisted: Putin will be “motivated to seek peace” if faced with the devastating prospect of precise Ukrainian barrages deep into his heartland.
