Europe Pledges $24B for Ukraine as Putin Meets US Envoy/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ European allies pledged over $24 billion in new military aid to Ukraine amid ongoing Russian advances. Meanwhile, a U.S. envoy met with Vladimir Putin to push for a ceasefire, though Moscow has yet to agree to peace terms. Ukrainian officials warn of a looming Russian offensive as the war enters its fourth year.
Europe Boosts Ukraine Aid as Putin Meets U.S. Envoy: Quick Looks
- Over $24 billion pledged by European countries for Ukraine’s military support.
- U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg to discuss a ceasefire.
- Ukraine’s air defense systems prioritized, including Patriot and IRIS-T deliveries.
- British and Norwegian aid includes drones, radars, and anti-tank mines.
- Ukraine’s Zelenskyy joined the NATO meeting via video.
- Russia has yet to accept the U.S. ceasefire proposal, frustrating Trump.
- Analysts believe Russia is preparing a new offensive in coming weeks.
- U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was absent, signaling shift in priorities.
- Kremlin called U.S. actions “economic bullying,” vows continued resistance.
- Ukraine warns that delays in aid deliveries could prove costly.
Europe Pledges $24B for Ukraine as Putin Meets US Envoy
Deep Look
European nations on Friday pledged more than $24 billion in new military assistance to Ukraine, marking one of the largest aid surges since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion more than three years ago. The announcement comes as the United States dispatched a high-level envoy to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in a renewed push for peace.
The aid package was announced in Brussels, where defense leaders from Ukraine’s Western allies gathered at NATO headquarters. British Defense Secretary John Healey, who chaired the session, described the moment as a “record boost in military funding” for Ukraine.
“We are also surging that support to the frontline fight,” Healey said, though he did not provide a detailed breakdown of the funding.
Ukraine has previously criticized such pledging events for repackaging old commitments without tangible follow-through. However, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, standing beside Healey, called the meeting “productive, effective, and efficient,” noting it delivered “one of the largest” aid packages to date.
Air Defense a Top Priority
A significant focus of the new aid is on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses, particularly after a Russian missile attack killed 20 people, including nine children, in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s hometown last week.
Germany pledged to deliver four IRIS-T air defense systems with associated missiles, while the Netherlands committed to supplying a Hawkeye early-warning aircraft. The United Kingdom and Norway jointly promised more than $580 million in support, including drones, radar systems, and maintenance for armored vehicles.
Zelenskyy, who joined the session by video link, emphasized the urgency of speeding up deliveries as Ukraine braces for what analysts believe will be a new Russian offensive in the coming weeks.
U.S. Peace Envoy Meets Putin
In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff traveled to St. Petersburg and is set to meet President Vladimir Putin, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. The trip marks the most direct peace engagement between Washington and Moscow in months.
Witkoff has been pushing the Kremlin to accept a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal, which Ukraine has already endorsed. However, Russia has stalled the proposal by attaching broad and controversial conditions.
“Russia continues to use bilateral talks with the United States to delay negotiations about the war,” the Institute for the Study of War warned in a Thursday analysis, suggesting the Kremlin remains uninterested in genuine peace talks.
Despite the delays, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce reiterated the U.S. commitment to securing a truce.
“Nothing else can be discussed until the shooting and the killing stops,” Bruce said, describing the battlefield as a “meat grinder.”
U.S. Shifting Global Priorities
Notably absent from the NATO-hosted session was Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who spoke via video instead. At the previous contact group meeting in February, Hegseth signaled that the U.S. is reallocating resources toward Asia and domestic border security, and that Europe must now take primary responsibility for Ukraine’s security.
The symbolic absence raised concerns among European leaders about America’s long-term commitment, especially as Trump’s administration continues to recalibrate global priorities.
Observers Expect New Russian Offensive
Multiple European officials, including Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur, expressed concern that Russia may be preparing a new major assault to solidify gains and leverage its position in upcoming negotiations.
“This is why we need to speed up the deliveries as quickly as we can,” Pevkur said.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius echoed those concerns, adding that further delays could weaken Ukraine’s position in any future settlement talks. Pevkur also noted that May 9—Russia’s Victory Day holiday—could be a symbolic target for Putin to announce new battlefield wins or a ceasefire agreement on his terms.
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