The UK Defence Secretary, John Healey, is set to push for a “50-day drive” to accelerate military support for Ukraine when he chairs a key meeting of Kyiv’s allies on Monday.
Healey will urge Western nations to increase arms deliveries to Ukraine in a bid to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. His call echoes US President Donald Trump’s recent warning that Russia will face “very severe” tariffs if it does not agree to a ceasefire by 2 September, exactly 50 days after Trump announced plans to supply “top-of-the-line” weapons to NATO, destined for Ukraine.
At the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) meeting, Healey is expected to say: “The US has started the clock on a 50-day deadline for Putin to agree to peace or face crippling economic sanctions. As members of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, we must step up with a ‘50-day drive’ to arm Ukraine on the battlefield and bring Putin to the negotiating table.”
Monday’s session will mark Healey’s fourth time chairing the UDCG, alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius for the third time. The group, which gathers defence ministers and officials from Ukraine’s allies, was chaired by the US until the Trump administration began scaling back American support.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the UK has supplied £150 million worth of air defence missiles and artillery rounds to Ukraine over the past two months. This forms part of a £700 million commitment to air defence and artillery ammunition this year, alongside additional funding to provide more drones, a critical asset in Ukraine’s fight.
The UK has delivered 50,000 drones to Ukraine in the last six months, with a further 20,000 expected from a coalition led by Britain and Latvia.
The meeting is also expected to secure further commitments, with Germany and the UK agreeing to procure additional air defence missiles backed by €170 million of funding from Berlin.
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge welcomed the Government’s continued support for Ukraine and stressed the importance of backing the US-led 50-day deadline to maximise pressure on Putin.
Meanwhile, Russian forces continue to launch drone and missile attacks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed recent strikes on civilian targets in Odesa and infrastructure in the Sumy region. He also thanked international leaders for their swift efforts to enhance Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
