Ukraine seeks air protection programs as Western backers meet with out Pentagon chief

[ad_1] BRUSSELS (AP) — Ukraine’s president on Wednesday urged Western backers to hurry up deliveries of air protection programs to counter Russian missile strikes and to assist increase weapons manufacturing.

The emphasis must be on U.S.-made Patriot programs, President Volodymyr Zelenskky advised a Ukraine Protection Contact Group assembly at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

“These are the simplest solution to drive Russia to cease its missile strikes and terror,” he mentioned through video hyperlink, urging representatives of round 50 international locations to make good on previous pledges.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth didn't attend, the primary time a Pentagon chief has been absent because the discussion board for organizing Ukraine’s military aid was arrange three years in the past. Hegseth’s predecessor, Lloyd Austin, created the group after Russia launched all-out war on Ukraine in 2022.

His absence is the most recent step that the Trump administration has taken to distance itself from Ukraine’s efforts to repel Russia’s full-scale invasion, which started on Feb. 24, 2022. Greater than 12,000 Ukrainian civilians have been killed, in accordance with U.N. estimates, in addition to tens of 1000's of troopers on each side.

Zelenskyy additionally appealed to the members to purchase weapons direct from Ukraine. “Ukrainian business nonetheless has important untapped capability, it simply wants financing,” he mentioned, underlining {that a} funding hole for weapons procurement quantities to about $18 billion.

Troopers of Ukraine’s thirtieth Separate Mechanized Brigade hearth a Grad a number of rocket launcher in the direction of Russian positions on the frontline in Donetsk area, Ukraine, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (AP Picture/Andrii Marienko)

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The U.Ok., which chaired the assembly together with Germany, mentioned it plans a tenfold improve in drone manufacturing to assist Ukraine. Drones have change into a decisive factor within the warfare, now in its fourth 12 months.

“We should make sure that Ukraine’s forces have what they want, once they want it, to proceed their battle. However this isn't simply Ukraine’s battle. It’s a battle for the safety of Europe, for our safety right now, tomorrow, and for our future generations,” U.Ok. Protection Secretary John Healey mentioned.

Lithuanian Protection Minister Dovile Sakaliene mentioned that “you acknowledge true pals not throughout a celebration, however whenever you do have tough instances. So subsequently, our continuation of help for Ukraine and growing it's of utmost significance.”

For the reason that contact group was fashioned, Ukraine’s backers have collectively offered round $126 billion in weapons and army help, together with more than $66.5 billion from the U.S.

The USA hasn’t chaired a gathering of the Ukraine Protection Contact Group because the Trump administration took workplace in January.

European NATO allies are involved that the U.S. would possibly withdraw troops from Europe to concentrate on the Indo-Pacific. French President Emmanuel Macron has warned that abandoning Ukraine would erode U.S. credibility in deterring any battle with China over Taiwan.

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Observe the AP’s protection of the warfare at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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