Defence ministers from the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), which comprises fifty countries supporting Ukraine militarily, are meeting on Friday in Brussels.
The goal is to restore peace and freedom on the European continent, according to German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who chairs the meeting alongside his British counterpart, John Healey.
Pistorius announced new German military support for Ukraine, including additional missiles for the Patriot air defence system and new IRIS-T air defence systems.
The German minister also confirmed a delegation from the United States is present at NATO headquarters, where the meeting is held. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth will participate via video link.
During the term of the previous US President, Joe Biden, the contact group met under the chairmanship of then Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. Since Donald Trump took office, things have changed, Pistorius noted. Germany and the UK now take the lead together.
On Thursday, defence ministers from the ‘coalition of willing' met at NATO headquarters under British-French chairmanship, involving around thirty nations. Belgium was represented by Defence Minister Theo Francken.
The coalition plans to keep its specific arrangements for Ukraine’s security after a potential ceasefire with Russia confidential. Revealing these plans would only benefit Russian President Vladimir Putin, warned the British Defence Minister.
Asked for details about their plans, Healey reiterated what he said on Thursday before the meeting: a secure Ukrainian airspace and waters, peace on the ground, and support for the Ukrainian armed forces.
