US, European countries highlight collaboration on military aid to Ukraine

The United States and European countries have underscored their cooperation in providing military assistance, including Patriot air defense systems, to Ukraine.

The countries supporting Ukraine held an online meeting on Monday. Among the participants was US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who did not attend the group’s gathering in June.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said his country urgently needs to procure US weapons, especially air defense systems such as Patriot systems and interceptor missiles, as well as ammunition.

Germany’s defense minister, Boris Pistorius, noted that he and Hegseth had agreed last week that “Germany will contribute to providing the five urgently needed Patriot systems as quickly as possible.”

The administration of US President Donald Trump had insisted that Europe assume a major role in providing Kyiv with military support.

But frustrated by Russia’s refusal to agree to a ceasefire, the Trump administration announced on July 14 that the US would send more Patriot systems to Ukraine, with NATO member states covering the cost.