Latest news with #UkraineDefenceContactGroup
India.com
a day ago
- Politics
- India.com
Europe Greenlights Strikes On Russia, Slaps Sanctions – Is Europe Dragging NATO Into Direct War?
Russia-Ukraine War: Europeans ramped up support this week for Ukraine's battle against drone and ballistic missile attacks. A fresh delivery of anti-aircraft missiles came from the United Kingdom and Germany. The goal is to defend Ukraine's skies. The European Union (EU) announced an 18th round of sanctions on Russia. It is aimed at cutting off virtually Moscow's energy imports. A fivefold increase in the EU defence budget has also been proposed. The United States returned to the Ukraine Defence Contact Group today but only with a symbolic presence. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended without adding new weapons deliveries. Meanwhile, the battlefield rumble continued. Russian forces captured several towns in Ukraine's Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions mid-July. Ukraine has stepped up counterstrikes with long-range weapons. Russian air defences brought down 13 drones near Moscow on Saturday. Ukrainian drones disrupted traffic in Moscow's airport the next day. Then came news that Russia shot down another 74 drones. Reports say Ukrainian drones hit Russia's Lukhovitsky aviation plant and an anti-air missile design bureau near Moscow. A damaged gas pipeline in western Siberia also caused railway delays. At the Ramstein meeting, UK Defence Secretary John Healy said, 'Boris and I have agreed to jointly supply Ukraine with critically needed anti-aircraft missiles.' Ukraine's air defence systems, Germany-made IRIS-T and U.S.-made NASAMS and SHORAD, managed to engage 833 out of 968 drones over a recent five-day stretch. That same night also marked a massive Russian strike: 426 drones, five Kh‑47 M2 Kinzhal ballistic missiles, four Kalibr cruise missiles, one Iskander‑K and 14 Kh‑101 cruise missiles. The previous record for Ukraine was 728 drones downed overnight on July 9. Germany's Major‑General Christian Freuding warned that Russia is building up to unleash 2,000 drones in a single wave. Ukraine's ground units used a mix of systems to neutralise drones. The German radar‑guided Gepard 35 mm anti‑aircraft gun stood out. Indigenous interceptor drones also delivered key results, according to analyst Olena Kryzhanivska. President Zelenskyy confirmed that local arms production is central to Ukraine's defence plan. He said, 'About 40 percent of the weapons in the hands of our warriors are made in Ukraine. In six months, it should be no less than 50 percent.' He added a motive behind the push: 'to push the war back onto Russia's territory – back to where the war was brought from. So that they feel what they have done'. Ukraine still lacks a domestic solution for ballistic missile defence. At present, only U.S.-built Patriot missile systems fill that role. Germany has committed to send five Patriot systems. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he and Secretary Hegseth struck an agreement in Washington last week. Germany will fund the purchase and exchange the systems in the U.S. production queue. Zelenskyy confirmed plans to purchase additional Patriots, offering drone production in return. 'I told President Trump... The American people need this technology... This is a mega deal – a win‑win for both sides,' he said. Brussels is backing Ukraine more visibly. President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a 1.8 trillion‑euro EU budget that includes a 131‑billion‑euro fund for defence and space. The plan boosts spending fivefold from the previous cycle. It also proposes a European Competitiveness Fund for military research and doubles the Ukraine Assistance Fund to 100 billion euros. The EU's new sanctions on Russia bar remaining energy imports worth roughly 23 billion euros. Oil price caps and shipping limits target refined products and the Nordstream shadow fleet. Sanctions now block 444 vessels and 45 banks tied to Kremlin financial flows. UK Foreign Office highlighted how coordinated action with the EU aims to pressure those 'fueling the fires of destruction in Ukraine'. The new cap on oil stands at approximately $47.60 per barrel. On diplomacy, direct talks between Ukraine and Russia are scheduled in Istanbul later this week. Meanwhile, Russian President Putin may attend China's WWII victory celebrations, a possible prelude to a meeting with President Trump. Amid these defence and sanctions moves, a U.S. Air Force general, Alexus Grynkewich, warned of the need to prepare for a potential conflict with China and Russia within 18 months. He cited possible coordination between Beijing and Moscow in any future conflict. What lie ahead are Europe's new funds, Ukraine's military production targets and escalating drone warfare may define the next phase of this conflict.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Russia targets Ukraine capital in massive assault as talks on US arms deal begin
The attack killed two people and wounded 15, including a 12 year old, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said. A drone struck the entrance to a subway station in Kyiv's Shevchenkivskyi district where people had taken cover. Videos posted on social media showed the station platform engulfed by smoke, with dozens of people inside. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said the station had to be ventilated in what he called an 'enhanced mode'. The heaviest strikes hit the city's Darnytskyi district, where a preschool, supermarket and warehouse facilities caught fire. French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot, who arrived in Kyiv yesterday for talks with Mr Zelensky, visited some of the damaged area. Mr Zelensky and Mr Barrot spoke about expanding defence co-operation, including a decision by French companies to start manufacturing drones in Ukraine, and advancing Ukraine's path towards EU membership, the Ukrainian leader said on social media. The overnight drone and missile assault on Kyiv underscored the urgency of Ukraine's need for further Western military aid, especially in air defence, a week after Mr Trump said deliveries would arrive in Ukraine within days. The virtual meeting of high-level military officials yesterday was led by British Defence Secretary John Healey and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Nato leader Mark Rutte, as well as Nato's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, attended the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group. Moscow has intensified its long-range attacks on Ukrainian cities, and analysts say the barrages are likely to escalate as Russian drone production expands. Ukraine's new Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal urged allies to speed up deliveries of US air defence systems under the plan put forward by Mr Trump. 'I request the US to make these weapons available for purchase, and our European partners to extend all the needed financing for their procurement,' Mr Shmyhal, who until recently served as prime minister, said as the meeting began. ADVERTISEMENT Mr Trump's arms plan, announced a week ago, involves European nations sending US weapons, including Patriot air defence missile systems, to Ukraine via Nato – either from existing stockpiles or buying and donating new ones. In an shift of tone towards Russia, Mr Trump last week gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face tougher sanctions. At yesterday's meeting, Mr Healey was expected to urge Ukraine's Western partners to launch a '50-day drive' to get Kyiv the weapons it needs to fight Russia's bigger army and force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table, the UK government said in a statement. Gen Grynkewich told The Associated Press on Thursday that 'preparations are under way' for weapons transfers to Ukraine while US Ambassador to Nato Matthew Whitaker said he could not give a time frame. Germany has said it offered to finance two new Patriot systems for Ukraine and raised the possibility of supplying systems it already owns and having them replaced by the US. But delivery could take time, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said, because 'they have to be transported, they have to be set up; that is not a question of hours, it is a question of days, perhaps weeks'. Other Patriot systems could come thanks to Switzerland, whose defence ministry said on Thursday it was informed by the US Defence Department that it will 'reprioritize the delivery' of five previously ordered systems to support Ukraine. While Ukraine waits for Patriots, a senior Nato official said the alliance is still co-ordinating the delivery of other military aid – such as ammunition and artillery rounds – which includes aid from the US that was briefly paused. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters. Mr Zelensky said on Saturday that his officials have proposed a new round of peace talks this week. Russian state media on Sunday reported that no date has yet been set for the negotiations, but said that Istanbul would likely remain the host city. The Kremlin spokesman said on Sunday that Russia is open to peace with Ukraine, but achieving its goals remains a priority. The overnight Russian barrage of Kyiv began shortly after midnight and continued until around 6am. Residents of the capital were kept awake by machine-gun fire, buzzing drone engines and multiple loud explosions. Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 426 Shahed and decoy drones overnight into Monday, as well as 24 missiles of various types. It said 200 drones were intercepted with 203 more jammed or lost from radars.
North Wales Chronicle
3 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Ukraine's allies stand at ‘moment of maximum opportunity'
The Defence Secretary said the UK and other allies must use Donald Trump's 50-day ultimatum to Vladimir Putin to start a '50-day drive' to arm Ukraine ahead of any talks, with the aim of strengthening its hand against Russia. The US president has threatened to impose 'very severe' tariffs on Russia if it does not agree a ceasefire by September 2, 50 days on from his announcement that he would sell 'top-of-the-line' weapons to Nato that could then be given to Ukraine. Speaking at the 29th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), Mr Healey told allies gathered from 52 nations: 'This is a moment of maximum opportunity. 'Last week, President Trump announced a new plan for large scale Nato weapons transfers, and committed to getting these, he said, quickly distributed to the battlefield. 'The UK backs this policy. We will play our full part in its success.' Mr Healey added: 'Alongside this new agreement to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself, President Trump also started the clock on a 50-day deadline for Putin to agree to peace or to face crippling economic sanctions. 'And as members of this UDCG, we need to step up, in turn, a 50-day drive to arm Ukraine on the battlefield and to help push Putin to the negotiating table.' The UK Defence Secretary chaired the meeting for the fourth time, also his third time co-chairing with German defence minister Boris Pistorius. The group, which brings together defence ministers and officials from Ukraine's allies, was chaired by the US until Mr Trump came to power and began rowing back on American support for Kyiv and European security. As the UK and Germany led calls for European allies to step up their support for Kyiv, Mr Healey said the two countries have 'agreed to partner in providing critical air defence missiles to Ukraine'. His German counterpart Mr Pistorius, meanwhile, said the pair were involved in an initiative to replenish ammunition for anti-aircraft guns. 'We will, together with our British friends, provide 220,000 rounds of 35 millimetre ammunition for the Gepard anti-aircraft gun system at short notice, financed by Germany,' the German defence minister said. The drive to step up support for Ukraine comes after the UK revealed it has spent some £150 million on air defence and artillery for the war-torn nation over the past two months. At least £700 million will be spent on similar support over the course of the year, according to the Ministry of Defence. Elsewhere on Monday, the Foreign Office announced 137 fresh sanctions on Russian entities, targeting the oil and gas sector. The new sanctions target 135 oil tankers involved in Mr Putin's 'shadow fleet' operation, responsible for illicitly carrying cargo since the start of the war in Ukraine. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: 'New sanctions will further dismantle Putin's shadow fleet and drain Russia's war chest of its critical oil revenues. 'As Putin continues to stall and delay on serious peace talks, we will not stand idly by. We will continue to use the full might of our sanctions regime to ratchet up economic pressure at every turn and stand side by side with Ukraine.'
eNCA
3 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
UK calls for 50-day drive to arm Ukraine
The UK government on Monday called for a 50-day drive to arm Ukraine to take advantage of a recent ultimatum put to Russia by US President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, Trump gave Russian President Vladimir Putin 50 days to strike a peace deal with Kyiv in the three-year war or face sanctions. UK Defence Secretary John Healey told a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) that Kyiv's backers stand at a moment of "maximum opportunity". "As members of this UDCG, we need to step up, in turn, a 50-day drive to arm Ukraine on the battlefield and to help push Putin to the negotiating table," Healey told the virtual meeting of 52 nations. Trump also pledged to supply Kyiv with new military aid, sponsored by NATO allies, as its cities suffer ever-increasing Russian aerial attacks since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Healey, chairing the meeting alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, said the UK "backs this policy". "We will play our full part in its success," he added. Russia has escalated long-range aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities as well as frontline assaults and shelling over recent months, defying Trump's warning. Healey said Britain and Germany have "agreed to partner in providing critical air defence missiles to Ukraine". Pistorius said the two countries would provide 220,000 rounds of 35 millimetre ammunition for anti-aircraft guns used by Ukraine. According to the UK defence ministry, Britain has sent £150 million ($200 million) worth of air defence missiles and artillery rounds to Ukraine in the past two months. The UK has pledged to spend £700 million on air defence and artillery ammunition for Ukraine this year. The commitment is in addition to other funding to provide more of the drones that have become key weapons in the war with Russia.
Euractiv
3 days ago
- Politics
- Euractiv
France to manufacture drones in Ukraine following foreign minister's visit
French companies will begin manufacturing drones in Ukraine, officials announced on Monday following a meeting between French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. "We are ready to expand joint defens[c]e production," Zelenskyy posted on X. "There is a decision by French companies to begin manufacturing drones in Ukraine – and this is highly valuable," he added. Barrot, in a separate post, confirmed the move: 'French drones will be built on Ukrainian soil.' He added: 'That's what sovereignty and strategic trust look like.' The announcement came during Barrot's two-day visit to Kyiv, aimed at reaffirming France's continued support for Ukraine amid Russia's ongoing invasion. Just hours earlier, Russia launched one of its largest assaults on Ukraine in recent months. The attack killed two people and wounded 15, including a 12-year-old, Zelenskyy said in a separate post. In a statement following the meeting, Zelenskyy said the two also discussed broader defence cooperation, including air defence capabilities, training Ukrainian troops, and the outcomes of recent Ramstein-format meetings. Barrot is also expected to have separate meetings with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andriy Sybiga, and the new Prime Minister, Yulia Svyrydenko. The visit coincided with a video meeting of defence ministers from the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), where participating countries pledged to improve coordination and strengthen NATO-backed support for Kyiv, according to a NATO press release. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that, as announced last week, he and US President Donald Trump would boost support for Ukraine by unlocking additional US defence assets that NATO allies can contribute to. "We continue to work through the new initiative that enables Allies new access to purchase US equipment for Ukraine via NATO," Rutte posted on X. The meeting was led by British Defense Secretary John Healey and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich also took part. Ukraine's new Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal called on the US to release air defence systems for purchase and urged European allies to finance the procurement, under the plan proposed by Trump. (aw)
