The US will convene a summit in Germany on Friday to explore additional support for Ukraine, following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request for extra fighter jets and long-range missiles from Western partners. As conflicts with Russia flare in Ukraine’s east, representatives from over 50 countries will assemble at the US Ramstein Air Base to coordinate their support for Kyiv. Follow our live blog for the most recent updates on the Ukraine conflict.
The Group of Seven (G7) countries are proposing a near-total embargo on exports to Russia, according to Kyodo news agency, citing Japanese government sources.
As conflicts with Russia flare in Ukraine’s east, representatives from over 50 countries will assemble at the US Ramstein Air Base to coordinate their support for Ukraine.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who will attend the meeting, arrived in Kiev on Thursday, his first visit since Russia’s invasion began in February 2022.
Zelensky used the occasion to urge NATO to ask Kyiv to join the alliance and to increase military support for Ukraine’s army.
The Ukrainian president requested NATO assistance in “overcoming the reluctance” of some NATO members to provide long-range missiles, modern fighter jets, and armoured vehicles.
Despite Ukraine’s requests, NATO members have delivered several Soviet-era fighter aeroplanes to Ukraine, but no newer planes, such as the US-designed F-16, have been guaranteed.
Western backers of Ukraine have also been hesitant to deploy long-range rockets. Fearing that Ukraine will use them to target Russian targets.
During his visit, Stoltenberg stated that the conference at Ramstein would focus on delivering more weaponry to Ukraine, emphasising the significance of supplying more ammunition and improving maintenance operations to assist Kyiv.