Kiev Seeks $20B More in Military Aid From Allies
Kiev plans to seek $20B more in military aid from Western allies at the Ramstein meeting, with funds aimed at air defense, drones and arms.
Kiev plans to ask Western partners for another $20 billion to cover military needs. Ukraine wants to raise the issue at a meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine, Politico reported, citing a senior official in the Ukrainian defense department.
The next Ramstein-format meeting is expected to take place on June 18, according to the publication. At these talks, Kiev’s partners coordinate financial and military support for Ukraine.
Politico says Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Fedorov has already discussed the new funding request with representatives of Norway, Sweden, Germany and Canada. Kiev is asking each of these countries to provide between $2 billion and $6 billion, either directly or as a loan.
Ukraine intends to use the money to strengthen air defense, buy drones, ammunition, electronic warfare systems and long-range weapons. Another part of the funding would go to orders placed with Ukrainian defense companies.
Politico also reports that some of the military assistance could be used for purchases under the so-called Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List. The NATO-linked mechanism allows allies to jointly buy weapons for Kiev from US manufacturers.