US, Ukraine defence heads discuss Russia’s use of new missiles, 2025 aid to Kyiv
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Firefighters at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro, Ukraine, on Nov 21, 2024.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
WASHINGTON – US and Ukrainian defence chiefs on Nov 2 discussed Russia’s use of new ballistic missiles, preparations for the next meeting of arms donors and plans for Washington’s military aid in 2025, both sides said.
The meeting came as the US said it will send Kyiv US$725 million (S$977 million) of missiles, ammunition, anti-personnel mines and other weapons
“Secretary (of Defence Lloyd) Austin condemned Russia’s recent barrage of missiles and unmanned aerial systems targeting Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, and its use of an intermediate-range ballistic missile in Ukraine, which marks another escalation in Russia’s war against Ukraine,” the Pentagon’s press secretary, Major-General Pat Ryder, said in a statement.
In late November, Russia fired a hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro in response to the US and Britain allowing Kyiv to strike Russian territory with advanced Western weapons, in a further escalation of the 33-month-old war.
Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said the call also focused on “strategic planning for 2025, particularly regarding the supply of weapons and equipment, and equipping of our units”.
With the US strategy on Ukraine likely to change when President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan 20, Kyiv is concerned that aid from Washington – Ukraine’s largest supporter in its fight against Russia – will diminish significantly.
Mr Umerov also said he discussed with Mr Austin preparations for the upcoming meeting of the Ramstein Group, an alliance of Nato, the European Union and countries that have supported Kyiv.
Mr Umerov did not say when the meeting would take place. Ukrainian media, including the European Pravda online newspaper, reported that the meeting may take place in December.
It would be likely the last meeting of Kyiv’s allies before Trump takes office. REUTERS
