UK and Germany Pledge Enhanced Military Support for Ukraine, Including Long-Range Missiles and Air Defense
Belgium's Prime Minister Bart De Wever, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Finland's President Alexander Stubb, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and France's President Emmanuel Macron speak during the Coalition of the Willing Summit at Elysee presidential palace in Paris, France, September 4, 2025. European leaders and Zelenskiy meet in a new effort to pile pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin after he vowed Russia will fight on in Ukraine if no peace deal is reached. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS
After the Coalition of the Willing meeting, the UK and Germany pledged to boost Ukraine’s defense capabilities, including supplying long-range missiles, expanding air defenses, and equipping four new brigades, while continuing military training and integration into European security frameworks.
This is reported by The Telegraph.
On Thursday, September 4, during a virtual meeting of the “Coalition of the Willing,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced a significant increase in military assistance to Ukraine.
According to the British government, the United Kingdom plans to supply long-range missiles to Ukraine, enabling more effective defense against the aggressor and strengthening strikes on the enemy’s strategic targets. Starmer emphasized that coalition members have made an “unbreakable promise to Ukraine” and are prepared to take further action to pressure Russia.
Germany will focus on expanding Ukraine’s air defense, aiming to increase its capabilities by 20% each year. Berlin also plans to cooperate on the production of Ukrainian cruise missiles. Additionally, it is set to supply 480 infantry fighting vehicles and armored personnel carriers annually to equip the four new mechanized brigades.
Chancellor Merz emphasized that Germany is not considering sending its own troops. The main priorities remain security guarantees, training of the Ukrainian military, and integration of Ukraine’s defense industry with that of the EU. In addition, Berlin supports Ukraine’s economic and financial stability and its further rapprochement with the EU.
The “Coalition of the Willing,” in addition to the United Kingdom and Germany, includes France, Australia, Canada, the EU, and NATO countries such as Turkey, Poland, Italy, Lithuania, and others. Coalition members provide Ukraine with comprehensive assistance—military, financial, and logistical—and some countries are also considering the deployment of peacekeeping forces.
It is worth adding that US President Donald Trump’s special representative, Steve Witkoff, unexpectedly left the Élysée Palace, where a meeting of the countries of the so-called “coalition of the determined” in support of Ukraine is underway today.
As you know, on Thursday, September 4, a meeting of the “Coalition of the Determined” began at the Élysée Palace – an international association of countries coordinating military and political support for Ukraine.
By the way, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will hold talks with leading European leaders in Paris on security guarantees for Ukraine and the formation of a new post-war architecture of Europe. Kyiv is an active moderator in the processes that will determine the future of all continental security.
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