Brussels: European nations on Friday committed to billions of euros in additional military support for Ukraine, as US envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an ongoing push to secure a ceasefire amid doubts about the Kremlin’s intentions.
With the conflict now in its fourth year, Russian forces continue to hold a strategic advantage. Ukraine has supported a ceasefire proposal made by the United States, but Russia has stalled progress by demanding far-reaching conditions. European leaders have criticised Putin for the lack of movement towards peace.
“Russia has to get moving on the road to ending the war,” US President Donald Trump posted on social media, calling the war “terrible and senseless.”
The Kremlin confirmed that Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Putin in St Petersburg. Russian media also showed Witkoff holding earlier discussions with Putin’s envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Witkoff has been advocating for the Kremlin to accept a truce.
Massive European support for Ukraine
In Brussels, British Defence Secretary John Healey chaired a meeting of Ukraine’s Western allies and announced military aid pledges worth over €21 billion (USD 24 billion). “A record boost in military funding for Ukraine, and we are also surging that support to the frontline fight,” Healey stated.
While no detailed breakdown was provided, Ukraine has previously criticised some countries for repeating earlier commitments or failing to deliver promised arms and supplies.
Last week, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte reported that around USD 21 billion had been delivered during the first quarter of the year. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed on Friday that over USD 26 billion has now been committed.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov highlighted the need to enhance air defences as a key topic at the meeting. Standing beside Healey, he described the talks as “productive, effective and efficient,” adding that it resulted in “one of the largest” support packages received by Ukraine. “We’re thankful to each nation that has provided this support,” he said.
Britain and Norway announced a joint initiative worth USD 580 million to supply drones, radar systems, anti-tank mines, and maintenance services for Ukrainian armoured vehicles.
Zelenskyy renews appeal for air defences
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who joined the meeting via video link, has repeated calls for additional Patriot air defence systems following a deadly missile attack that killed 20 people, including nine children, in his home town.
Russia drags feet on ceasefire deal
Russia’s delay in accepting the US ceasefire proposal has led to growing frustration. Observers believe Putin is exploiting ongoing bilateral talks to postpone broader negotiations.
“Russia continues to use bilateral talks with the United States to delay negotiations about the war in Ukraine, suggesting that the Kremlin remains uninterested in serious peace negotiations,” said the Institute for the Study of War in a recent report.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that four weeks have passed since the ceasefire proposal was made. “It is a dynamic that will not be solved militarily. It is a meat grinder,” she said, noting that “nothing else can be discussed … until the shooting and the killing stops.”
Russia may launch new offensive
Ukrainian officials and analysts anticipate that Russia may soon begin a fresh offensive to strengthen its position in any upcoming negotiations.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced the delivery of four IRIS-T air defence systems and missiles, along with 30 missiles for existing Patriot batteries. The Netherlands will provide a Hawkeye airborne early warning system.
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said Estonia is actively monitoring the global weapons market to help Ukraine’s allies secure more ammunition and equipment. He also speculated that Putin may attempt to reach a deal before 9 May—Russia’s Victory Day—making it crucial to reinforce Ukraine’s defences swiftly.
“This is why we need to speed up the deliveries as quickly as we can,” Pevkur said.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth did not attend the Brussels meeting in person but addressed the gathering via video. In the previous meeting held in February, Hegseth had cautioned that the US would now focus more on Asia and domestic issues, urging European nations to take greater responsibility for their own and Ukraine’s security.
AP inputs
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