Nato chief commends Berlin’s decision while Ukrainian leader says Putin trying to apply military pressure on Ukraine before Trump meeting. What we know on day 1,268
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Germany plans to fund a $500m package of military equipment and munitions for Ukraine sourced from the US, Nato said on Wednesday. Alliance chief Mark Rutte commended Germany for the decision, saying: “This delivery will help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.” Germany’s foreign and defence ministries said the support was focused on equipment such as “critical air defence capabilities” against Russian airstrikes that were “killing more and more civilians throughout Ukraine”. The Netherlands and Sweden have also pledged major contributions.
Germany’s move came as Donald Trump said there would be “very severe consequences” if Vladimir Putin did not agree to stop his war in Ukraine after the summit between the US and Russian presidents in Alaska this Friday. The US president’s comment came after a virtual meeting with European leaders including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who told the group that Putin “is bluffing” about seeking peace. “He is trying to apply pressure before the meeting in Alaska along all parts of the Ukrainian front,” Zelenskyy said, amid a sharp thrust from Russian forces into eastern Ukraine in recent days. “Russia is trying to show that it can occupy all of Ukraine,” he said. German chancellor Friedrich Merz said the leaders had a “constructive and good” discussion with Trump.
