Ankara: British Defense Secretary John Healey on Monday said the UK will fully support a new NATO arms transfer initiative announced by US President Donald Trump, aimed at accelerating military assistance to Ukraine. Speaking during the opening of a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), co-chaired with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Healey said 52 allies and partners joined the call, a signal, he noted, of the continued inspiration Ukraine provides in its struggle against "Russian aggression."
According to Anadolu Agency, Healey emphasized the urgency of the situation as Ukraine faces intensified Russian missile and drone attacks. He warned that Trump's new policy on large-scale NATO weapons transfers has set "a 50-day clock" for Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept peace terms or face "crippling economic sanctions." Healey affirmed that the UK backs this policy and will play a full part in its success, urging UDCG members to contribute to a 50-day drive to arm Ukraine and push Putin to the negotiating table.
Healey highlighted the UK's involvement by referencing the £40 billion pledged for Ukraine at last month's NATO summit. He noted the importance of a renewed drive to arm Ukraine, citing battlefield updates from senior Ukrainian military officials. Healey revealed that Russian military losses have surpassed one million soldiers killed or wounded since the full-scale invasion began, with 240,000 casualties in 2025 alone, yet Putin's ambition remains unchanged.
The UK has committed over £4.5 billion ($5.8 billion) in military aid to Ukraine this year, marking its highest level ever. This includes £700 million on artillery shells, long-range rockets, and defense missiles, with £150 million of that delivered in the last two months. Healey also added that nearly 50,000 drones have been sent to Ukraine since March as part of London's pledge to increase drone supplies tenfold in 2024.
Regarding air defense, Healey announced that the UK and Germany have agreed to jointly provide critical air defense missiles to Ukraine. Additionally, under the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package, the UK will donate a further £40 million.