TRANSCRIPT:
At the 27th Ukraine Defence Contact Group summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr has issued an urgent call to Europe's defence ministers.
"You know that Ukraine has a shortage of air defence systems. You know that patriot systems can effectively protect against ballistic threats. You also know that we are forced to move the systems we have around the country to give at least temporary protection to different cities. And you know what happens when even one system goes out of service. It means lost lives. In Russia, they see this as their advantage, their ability to be a terrorist state. And we must take away that ability, their belief that killing can be treated lightly. I ask you to focus first of all on air defence for Ukraine."
Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has responded to that call with a clear message for Ukraine - and Russia.
"Three years ago, almost to the day, this group was established for three reasons. As a signal to Ukraine: We are by your side for the long run. To provide tangible support to arm and strengthen the Ukrainian Armed forces. And as a signal to Russia: you cannot, you cannot wait us out. Our support, our resolve is permanent and we have more options."
U-K Defence Secretary John Healey has also responded strongly, announcing a record-breaking military aid commitment.
"The new pledges of military aid announced today through the UDCG total over 21 billion euros. A record boost in military funding for Ukraine and we're also surging that support to the frontline fight. From the UK, we will spend 4.5 billion pounds this year in military support for Ukraine, a highest ever level. And today I'm announcing 350 million pounds to surge that support into the hands of Ukraine's frontline fighters. That's a package that includes radar systems, anti-tank mines, and hundreds and thousands of new drones."
John Healey is urging nations still undecided to reconsider their contributions.
"And so today at this Ukraine contact group we step up our support for Ukraine in the fight. And our job as defence ministers is to get urgent military aid into the hands of Ukrainian war fighters. And to those nations not making fresh commitments today, I urge you to look again, to look hard at what more you can do. All military aid now will help Ukraine in the fight today and help secure a durable peace tomorrow."
But Boris Pistorius says Europe's commitment is a long term one.
"We should better look on our own and to do what we have to do and we can do, and this is what we are doing now. We take on more responsibility as Europeans in NATO, as Europeans together with UK. We took whatever we can take, we do whatever we can to support Ukraine as long as it takes, and I think today was a quite impressive evidence for what we're able and willing to do, and this is what counts, not whether a minister takes part physically or virtually."
Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Rustem Umerov, has described the meeting as one of the most effective yet.
"US has told us after the new administration has stepped in that they will be besides Europe, besides Ukraine, but their focus will be in Asia Pacific or Hindu Pacific. They're still participating in UDCG. They are providing us security assistance, and they took a lead in a peace initiative, which they are focused ... So, at this stage, I say it's a share of responsibilities that European partners are taking the lead. US is besides us and focused on the peace, and we're working together. Our job is to make it happen."
But questions remain about the Kremlin’s intentions.
President Zelenskyy has revealed Ukrainian forces have captured Chinese nationals fighting on behalf of Russia, marking what he calls a disturbing expansion of foreign involvement in the conflict.
He says the Kremlin is increasingly dependent on foreign manpower, naming not just China, but also North Korea.
"Last week, our soldiers captured the first Chinese citizens fighting on the front, fighting for Russia. As of now, we have information that at least several hundred Chinese nationals are fighting as part of Russia's occupation forces. This means Russia is clearly trying to prolong the war, even by using Chinese lives."
European ministers have blamed Russia for thwarting a US push for peace in Ukraine, and are calling for firm pressure on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire, in a clear bid to persuade the Trump administration to take a harder line.
Despite American-led peace proposals, Russia has yet to respond constructively, raising doubts about whether Moscow genuinely seeks an end to the war while its military momentum continues.
