ISTANBUL

The UK defense secretary Friday announced a new £350 million ($460 million) military aid package for Ukraine, calling 2025 a critical year in the war and urging other allies to boost their support.

The package includes radar systems, anti-tank mines, hundreds of thousands of drones, and funding to maintain and repair battlefield equipment, John Healey said at the 27th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels.

Part of the aid includes launching a new initiative to repair thousands of Ukrainian vehicles damaged in combat.

"This is a new effort that we want you to join us in," he told allied nations present at the meeting. "This extra support today will strengthen Ukrainian troops in the close fight.”

He said 2025 is a "critical year" in the war and warned against complacency, saying: "We cannot jeopardize the peace by forgetting about the war."

“To those not making fresh commitments today, I urge you to look again, to look hard at what more you can do,” he added.

Healey reaffirmed Britain’s long-term backing, saying the UK will spend a record £4.5 billion in military assistance to Ukraine this year – its highest to date.

Germany boosts support by billions

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stressed that the joint UK-German leadership of the meeting underscored Europe’s responsibility to defend peace on the continent.

He said Germany would increase its military support by €3 billion this year and by more than €8 billion in the coming years.

“Ukraine has become the epicenter of a broader conflict between freedom and oppression,” Pistorius said. “Russia should be under no illusion. Ukraine is becoming stronger. We must and we will make sure of that.”

The meeting at NATO headquarters was attended by representatives from around 40 countries, mostly NATO members. The UK and Germany co-chaired the session for the first time since the US handed over leadership of the group to European allies.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will join the meeting virtually.

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein Group, was established in April 2022 to coordinate international military support for Ukraine.

EU, Norway boosting aid to Ukraine

"Last year, we supported Ukraine with €20 billion. This year, member states have already committed over €23 billion. But we need to do more," EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said at the doorsteps of the meeting.

"Despite ongoing internal debates, member states are sending "a clear signal that we are behind Ukraine," she added.

Kallas also criticized Russia's recent attacks in Ukraine. "They are not targeting military. They are targeting civilians to cause major harm. We are already four weeks into the time where Ukraine agreed to unconditional ceasefire. We haven't seen any positive signs on the Russian side."

Meanwhile, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense announced its participation in a new UK-led support package worth £450 million, which includes radar systems and drone technology. Norway is contributing £100 million through the International Fund for Ukraine.

"Ukraine still needs more military equipment to defend itself against Russian attacks," said Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram.

"Drones and drone technology are an important part of this, both for protecting critical infrastructure and for use on the front lines. Together with one of our key allies, the United Kingdom, we will help provide Ukraine with significantly more drones," he said.