UK Supports Trump’s NATO Arms Plan with USD5.8B Ukraine Aid Boost
(MENAFN) British Defense Secretary John Healey announced Monday that the United Kingdom will fully support a newly unveiled NATO arms initiative spearheaded by U.S. President Donald Trump, designed to expedite military aid deliveries to Ukraine.
Speaking at the opening of a virtual session of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), which he co-chaired alongside German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, Healey noted that 52 allies and partners participated—proof, he said, of Ukraine's enduring influence in its fight against “Russian aggression.”
“This is a moment of maximum opportunity,” Healey stated, emphasizing the critical timing as Ukraine endures a wave of intensified Russian missile and drone strikes.
He cautioned that under Trump’s new NATO arms transfer policy, Russian President Vladimir Putin now faces a “50-day clock” to agree to peace terms or endure “crippling economic sanctions.”
“The UK backs this policy. We will play our full part in its success,” Healey pledged.
“As members of this UDCG, we need to step up in turn—a 50-day drive to arm Ukraine on the battlefield and to help push Putin to the negotiating table.”
Healey confirmed that Britain’s contribution would build on the €40 billion (approximately $43.5 billion USD) committed to Ukraine during last month’s NATO summit.
Referencing upcoming battlefield updates from senior Ukrainian military leaders, Healey said the latest combat developments “underline why a renewed drive to arm Ukraine is so important.”
He revealed that since the group’s last meeting, Russian military losses have exceeded one million troops either killed or wounded since the invasion began—with 240,000 of those casualties recorded in 2025 alone.
Despite such staggering figures, “Putin's ruthless ambition does not appear to be waning,” he cautioned.
Britain, Healey said, has now committed over £4.5 billion ($5.8 billion USD) in military assistance to Ukraine this year—the highest annual level to date.
“This includes £700 million on artillery shells, long-range rockets, and defense missiles—with £150 million of that delivered in the last two months,” he detailed.
Additionally, he noted the UK has supplied nearly 50,000 drones since March, part of London’s strategy to increase drone deliveries tenfold in 2024.
On air defense, Healey announced a joint UK-Germany effort to supply Ukraine with vital missile systems.
“On the NATO Comprehensive Assistance Package, the UK will donate a further £40 million,” he concluded.
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