Latest news with #UDCG
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
German defense boss teases changes for global Ukraine defense group
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The Ukraine Defense Contact Group is in for some changes aimed at streamlining international support for Ukraine's defense, according to German officials. The group, which has played a key role in coordinating military aid for Kyiv, saw a leadership change earlier this year following the inauguration of Donald Trump as U.S. president. Washington stepped back from a leading role, in line with the new president's tepid support for Ukraine in the face of Russia's attacks, leading Germany and the U.K. to host meetings since then. Work to tweak the UDCG structure is expected to commence next week, with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius describing the intended changes as a 'joint evolution.' The idea is to better integrate the group's work with the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) mission and the smattering of so-called capability coalitions aimed at improving individual military disciplines key to Kyiv's defense, a German MOD spokesman in Berlin said. Alliance officials created the NATO support organization for Ukraine at the July 2024 Washington summit. Placed under the auspices of Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, or SHAPE, its purpose is to coordinate 'the provision, transfer and repair of military equipment critical to Ukraine's operations, as well as training in Allied countries to bolster Ukraine's military effectiveness' in line with NATO standards, reads a description on the alliance's website. The new UDCG strategy is also expected to expand the capability coalitions framework. The supply of fighter jets to Kyiv, for example, was facilitated through such channels. Meanwhile, the capability coalition responsible for electronic warfare will see additional members, with Belgium, Estonia, Sweden, Italy and Turkey joining the forum, Pistorius announced Wednesday. Electronic warfare capabilities have become crucial on the battlefields of Ukraine. They encompass manipulations of the electromagnetic spectrum aimed at disabling aerial threats, including drones.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
US hasn't decided yet on new Ukraine aid, focuses on peace, NATO envoy says
The U.S. administration has not yet made any new decisions on military assistance for Kyiv as it remains focused on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker told journalists on June 4. Whitaker stressed that Washington counts on European leadership in providing Ukraine with the resources needed to achieve a lasting peace, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. The envoy made the comments as Kyiv's partners gathered in Brussels for a Ramstein-format summit of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG). The UDCG was initially launched by former U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in 2022 to coordinate assistance for Ukraine among some 50 countries. Pete Hegseth, the current Pentagon chief, relinquished chairmanship of the group to the U.K. and Germany and opted out of the June 4 meeting, leaving Whitaker to represent the U.S. Since taking office in January, U.S. President Donald Trump has not approved any new defense aid for Ukraine, vowing instead to broker a swift peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow. The assistance approved under the previous Biden administration continues to flow, but is expected to run out in the coming months. Washington also provides Ukraine with crucial intelligence assistance. As peace talks stall, Trump has signaled the U.S. might abandon its involvement in the effort, raising fears among European partners that he might also cut off all remaining support for Ukraine. The U.S. president has repeatedly urged Europe to take up responsibility for backing Ukraine and for its own security as his strategic focus shifts away from the continent. Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. has been the leader in military donations to Ukraine, supplying some weapons that European allies struggle to replace, including air defense interceptors. Read also: Inside Russia, calls for peace come with conditions — and Kremlin talking points We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
From 10,000 to 1,00,000 drones: UK increases drone deliveries to Ukraine days after Operation Spider's Web
The United Kingdom is planning to ramp up its support to Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. The country will supply 1,00,000 drones to Ukraine, a tenfold increase from the 10,000 it is currently arming Ukraine with, in 2025. The UK Ministry of Defence , in a statement, said that following the delivery of more than 10,000 drones to Ukraine in 2024, tens of thousands more have already been delivered towards an ambitious new target of 100,000 drones for the current financial year. Defence Secretary John Healey will make the announcement at a 50-nation summit in Brussels. The meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) will have the German defence minister Boris Pistorius and his Ukrainian counterpart Rustem Umerov in attendance. Also Read: Russia-Ukraine war: How Ukraine's drones broke through and hit vital Russian airbases The record £350m ($ 473m) investment in drones for Ukraine is part of the UK's £4.5bn ($ 6 bn) military support in 2025, the statement informed. Live Events The latest announcement by the UK comes at a time when Russia and Ukraine are witnessing a fresh major escalation in the ongoing war. Kyiv launched a major offensive on Sunday, June 1, against Russia through AI powered drones to attack military aircraft across multiple airbases. Ukraine's latest escalation against Moscow amid the ongoing war came as a part of the operation codenamed Spider's Web. Following the attack, Russia told Ukraine at peace talks on Monday (June 2) that it would only agree to end the conflict if Kyiv gives up new chunks of territory and agrees to limit the size of its army, Reuters reported. The terms presented during peace talks in Istanbul underscored Moscow's refusal to back down on its longstanding war goals despite calls by US President Donald Trump to end the "bloodbath" in Ukraine. Why is UK strengthening Ukraine's military arsenal The UK Defence Ministry statement said that as Kyiv's Armed Forces have managed to demonstrate the effectiveness of drone warfare in defending against what it believes is Putin's illegal invasion, the UK has been doubling down on investment in drones with British defence companies. The UK government is infusing more investment in defence companies including small to medium sized enterprises seeking to support the UK economy and jobs, as part of its Plan for Change. According to the UK government release, Ukrainian units have confirmed that drones provided by the UK have helped stabilise parts of the frontline by driving back attacks from Moscow and protecting Ukrainian lives. Defence intelligence has also confirmed that drones kill more people than artillery on the frontline in Ukraine at present. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
For the first time, Pentagon chief to reportedly skip Ramstein-format meeting of Ukraine's allies
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will not attend the June 4 meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), the Associated Press (AP) reported, citing a U.S. official. The news agency reported that Hegseth will not arrive in Brussels until the conference is over and will not participate in the event online either. If confirmed, this will be the first meeting of Kyiv's roughly 50 military backers in the so-called Ramstein format that the Pentagon chief will not attend. The U.K. and Germany will chair the June 4 meeting, which will take place as Russia continues to reject a ceasefire and reportedly prepares new offensives against Ukraine. Ukraine has called upon its partners to invest more in its arms production and to provide additional air defenses, namely Patriot systems, to help fend off intensifying Russian aerial attacks. Hegseth's predecessor, former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, launched the UDCG after the outbreak of Russia's full-scale war in 2022 to coordinate assistance among Kyiv's allies. The last Ramstein-format UDCG meeting took place in Brussels on April 11 under the chairmanship of London and Berlin, with allies committing more than 21 billion euros ($23.8 billion) in long-term military aid to Ukraine. Hegseth attended the Ramstein summit on Feb. 12, but not as its chairman, a position held by Austin until then. His British counterpart, John Healey, presided over the summit instead. Previous reporting suggested that the defense secretary was to skip the April meeting, but he eventually joined via video link. Since taking office in January, U.S. President Donald Trump has begun scaling down the U.S. presence in various international pro-Ukraine initiatives as he seeks to broker a ceasefire and a peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow. As the peace talks stall, Trump has signaled he might walk away from the effort. The U.S. president has been notably silent on the most recent war developments, including the most recent peace talks in Istanbul or Ukraine's mass drone attack on the Russian strategic aviation. Read also: Inside Russia, calls for peace come with conditions — and Kremlin talking points We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Next Ramstein summit to take place on June 4 in Brussels
The upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in the Ramstein format will be held on June 4 in Brussels under the chairmanship of the U.K. and Germany, NATO announced on May 29. The Ramstein summit will take place as Washington is trying to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia to end Moscow's full-scale war. In the meantime, Russia is amassing forces for a new offensive against Ukraine while continuing its attacks on civilians across the country, straining Ukrainian air defenses. The last Ramstein-format UDCG meeting took place in Brussels on April 11 under the chairmanship of London and Berlin — a position previously held by the U.S. Leadership over Ramstein transitioned following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. During the previous meeting, NATO allies committed more than 21 billion euros ($23.8 billion) in long-term military aid to Ukraine. The move came amid growing uncertainty over U.S. support for Ukraine and efforts by European allies to close the gap as Kyiv resists Russia's ongoing war. Read also: Russia amassed enough troops to attack Ukraine's Sumy Oblast, Border Guard warns We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
