Some 20 countries on Monday committed to new security assistance packages for Ukraine following a multinational conference on how to meet Kyiv’s needs, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced at the Pentagon after hosting the second meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.
The virtual meeting, which included ministers and chiefs of defense from 47 countries, was the second Ukraine Contact Group gathering since February. The group, which was formed last month during Austin’s trip to Ramstein Air Base, is made up of more than 40 nations dedicated to helping Ukraine fend off Russia’s invasion.
“Many countries are donating critically needed artillery ammunition, coastal defense systems and tanks and other armored vehicles... Others came forward with new commitments for training Ukraine’s forces and sustaining its military systems,” Austin said.
Denmark, he said, is sending Ukraine a Harpoon anti-ship launcher and missiles to help the besieged nation defend its coast from Russian invaders. The move is a welcome surprise — Ukraine has long been asking the Western partners to send anti-ship missiles.
The Czech Republic, meanwhile, agreed to send “substantial support, including a recent donation of attack helicopters, tanks and rocket systems,” the Pentagon chief said.
In addition, Italy, Greece, Norway and Poland all announced new donations of artillery systems and ammunition.
Austin also said he was encouraged by several more countries joining the group in its second meeting, including Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Ireland and Kosovo.
The next meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group will be in person in Brussels on June 15, around the same time as the upcoming NATO defense ministerial.
Alex Raufoglu
Washington D.C.
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