Healey says allies ‘more united than ever’ to support Ukraine

UK Defence Secretary John Healey used his remarks at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) press conference in Brussels to frame the war as entering a decisive year, warning that Russian strikes on Ukrainian cities are intensifying while Western support must accelerate in response.

Opening his statement, Healey said the pledges announced at the meeting should be seen as “a demonstration of our total commitment to stand with Ukraine”, as the conflict approaches its fourth anniversary. He underlined the scale of the war by noting that it has now lasted longer than the period of fighting between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union during the Second World War.

Healey argued that despite the duration of the conflict, Ukraine continues to demonstrate resilience and operational effectiveness, highlighting that Ukrainian forces are now “hitting targets deep into Russia”, inflicting significant casualties on the front line, and even “retaking territory.” He described Ukrainian military and civilian determination as unchanged since the opening phase of the invasion, stating that Ukrainians are fighting with “the same courage and defiance as they did in February 2022.”

While welcoming recent diplomatic efforts led by the United States, Healey cautioned that the war remains active and violent, stressing that “for now, the war continues.” He said that Russia is escalating its campaign, with “brutal missile and drone attacks” continuing to strike Ukrainian population centres, with civilians increasingly targeted alongside military positions.

Setting out the purpose of the UDCG, Healey said the group’s task remains twofold: “support Ukraine in the fight now and help secure the peace for tomorrow.” He said the meeting had been shaped by a push for substantial new commitments at the start of what he described as a critical year.

Healey confirmed that the latest UDCG meeting resulted in a combined pledge of “$35 billion worth of new military aid for Ukraine.” He said the UK contribution would reach record levels, adding that “the UK is spending the highest level of support… military aid for Ukraine ever.”

Central to his statement was the announcement of a new British air defence package, which he said would meet Ukraine’s most urgent requirement. Healey told the press conference he had announced “a new half a billion pound package of urgent air defence support for Ukraine,” describing it as President Zelensky’s top priority.

He closed his remarks to press by saying the UDCG message to Moscow was intended to be unambiguous, stating: “We’re more united and more determined than ever.” Healey said the coalition would increase both military support and pressure on Russia, concluding with the ambition that “we want to make 2026 the year this war ends, the year we secure peace.”