‘Our response must be based on strength,' Ukrainian defense minister tells allies in London
Kyiv warns Russian attacks require strong response as allies meet to discuss military support for Ukraine
ISTANBUL
Britain and Germany co-hosted the 30th meeting Tuesday of the Ukraine Contact Group in London, where Western allies pledged military aid to bolster Kyiv’s defenses against escalating Russian attacks.
The talks were co-chaired by British Defense Secretary John Healey and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal attended in person.
Healey said the UK will finance the production of thousands of long-range drones over the next year for Ukraine’s military.
“Peace is possible,” said Healey. “But as (US President Donald) Trump said, peace is achieved through strength.”
Pistorius said Germany is delivering two full Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, with the first launchers already transferred.
Shmyhal warned of escalating Russian attacks, saying a strike Tuesday on the village of Yarova in Donetsk killed more than 20 people, mostly pensioners. He pointed to drone strikes that destroyed Kyiv region’s largest thermal power plant on Monday.
“Russia continues its escalation. Therefore, our response must be based on strength,” he said. “Only together can we win. And only together we can ensure peace in Europe.”
He urged allies to allocate $60 billion in defense budgets for 2026 to safeguard Ukraine and the continent.
