Brussels | April 11 — Western allies have pledged an additional $24 billion in military aid to Ukraine, as the war with Russia stretches into its fourth year. The announcement came during the 27th Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting held at NATO headquarters in Brussels, co-chaired by the United Kingdom and Germany.
The commitment, involving 50 nations, surpasses the 20 billion euros pledged at the group’s previous meeting. The UK announced it will supply radar systems, anti-tank mines, and hundreds of thousands of drones, while Germany pledged to deliver four IRIS-T air defense systems and 300 missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the meeting virtually, joined by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Trump’s Special Envoy in Russia for Talks with Putin
In a parallel development, Steve Witkoff, U.S. President Donald Trump’s special envoy and longtime confidant, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on Friday. According to the Kremlin, the two discussed the U.S. ceasefire proposal, as well as the possibility of a future Trump-Putin summit.
Witkoff is playing a central role in the latest round of diplomatic outreach, amid Russian interest in joint Arctic investments and rare earth minerals. The meeting coincided with a high-level Kremlin session on the modernization of the Russian Navy.
Russia Stalls U.S. Ceasefire Plan as Battlefield Advantage Grows
While Ukraine has endorsed a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal, Russia has delayed acceptance by introducing broad conditions, effectively stalling negotiations. With Russian forces currently holding the upper hand on the battlefield, the Kremlin’s reluctance has frustrated the Trump administration.
Analysts warn Moscow may be using bilateral talks to delay any serious peace effort. The Institute for the Study of War stated, “Russia continues to use talks with the U.S. as a stalling tactic, indicating a lack of interest in genuine negotiations.”
What is the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG)?
The UDCG, also known as the Ramstein group, was created in 2022 by former U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. It serves as a coalition to coordinate military aid to Ukraine. The group includes all 31 NATO members and 23 partner nations, such as Australia, Japan, and Pakistan.
Since its inception, the UDCG has delivered around $126 billion in military support to Ukraine.
