Latest news with #UkrainianDefenseContactGroup
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sweden allocates over $500 million for Ukraine's defense
Stockholm has allocated 4.8 billion Swedish kronor (nearly $504 million) to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, according to a statement published on the Swedish government's website on May 26. The Swedish government approved a decision on May 22 to instruct the Swedish Armed Forces to contribute to multilateral funds and initiatives aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defense. This financial contribution is part of Sweden's 19th aid package for Ukraine, which was unveiled earlier this year. Sweden will contribute financially to the international coalitions formed within the framework of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group (UDCG), also known as the Ramstein format, the statement read. Sweden will donate 100 million kronor ($10.5 million) to the demiming coalition for the purchase of equipment, 300 million kronor ($31.5 million) to the drone coalition, 50 million kronor ($5.2 million) to the maritime security coalition for training of Ukrainian Navy personnel within the framework of Operation Intercharge, and 30 million kronor ($3.1 million) to the security and IT management coalition for the creation of the Ukrainian Delta system. The Swedish government will also provide an additional 1 billion kronor ($105 million) through the Danish model of arms procurement, meaning direct purchases from the Ukrainian defense industry. An additional 418 million kronor ($43.9 million) will be allocated for the purchase of armored vehicles, 550 million kronor ($57.7 million) for ammunition procurement initiatives, and more than 1 billion kronor ($105 million) for the purchase of air defense systems and long-range drones. The financial assistance comes as European countries seek to bolster Ukraine as future backing from the U.S., the leading military donor, grows increasingly uncertain under President Donald Trump, even as a new Russian offensive looms. Read also: Why did Russia invade Ukraine? Debunking Putin's 'root causes' claims We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukraine formalizing agreements on European military aid, intelligence sharing ahead of next Ramstein summit, Zelensky says
Ukraine is working to finalize agreements with European nations for additional military aid shipments as well as expanded intelligence sharing ahead of the next Ramstein summit, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on March 28. The next Ramstein-format meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group (UDCG) will likely be held on April 11 in Brussels, and will be chaired by the United Kingdom. "We agreed with some leaders on Ukraine's access to their ammunition stockpiles," Zelensky told reporters during a press conference, adding that Ukraine has reached agreements with unnamed countries for air defense and artillery production, as well as "on investments in the production of Ukrainian drones and missiles." Zelensky noted that the pledges in support came from European allies at the Paris summit on March 27, co-led by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Ahead of the summit, France announced it would provide Ukraine with a new military aid package worth 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion). Several European countries agreed to move forward with plans to send troops to Ukraine as part of a "reassurance force" in case of the ceasefire with Russia, Macron announced at the end of the Paris summit. Speaking to reporters, Zelensky also noted that a number of unspecified European allies agreed on "expanding Ukraine's access to intelligence data, relevant technologies, and satellites owned by our European colleagues." The commitments from allies come as the United States under the Trump administration temporarily stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine following a heated exchange between Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House on Feb. 28. The U.S. had resumed sharing intelligence with Ukraine on March 12. officials have also weighed satellite alternatives to Starlink following media reports that the U.S. had threatened to terminate Starlink service in order to pressure Kyiv to sign a minerals deal with Washington. The additional supports come as Ukrainian, British and French general staff representatives are preparing to hold a in Ukraine within a week to discuss the potential deployment of foreign troops to the country. Zelensky said during his press conference that United States will hold consultations with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and some European countries regarding monitoring a partial ceasefire. Starmer has maintained that for any peacekeeping coalition to succeed, Europe must "have strong U.S. backing." Read also: Ukraine won't sign minerals deal with US if it threatens EU membership, Zelensky saysWe've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Zelensky announces upcoming Ramstein summit in Brussels
Ukraine is preparing for the next Ramstein summit, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced in his evening address on March 16. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is now in the process of organizing the next Ramstein-format meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group (UDCG), Zelensky said. "We are preparing for Brussels," he said. The last Ramstein-format UDCG meeting took place in Brussels on Feb. 12 under the chairmanship of the U.K. – a position previously held by the U.S. Leadership over Ramstein transitioned following the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The meeting focused on coordinating support for Ukraine, including expanding defense production, financing new enterprises, and increasing arms supplies through European defense industry capacities. While specific dates have yet to be confirmed, the next Ramstein summit will likely take place in late March or early April. Zelensky also said that Ukraine is acquiring more ammunition, including artillery shells and additional missiles for its IRIS-T, NASAMS, and SAMP/T air defense systems. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine confirms withdrawal from Sudzha in Russia's Kursk Oblast We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
