KYIV: Ukraine is seeking an additional $20 billion in military funding from its allies to cement what it sees as its current battlefield advantage over Russia, a Ukrainian defense source said on Friday. The request will be made next Thursday at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, an alliance of more than 50 countries also known as the Ramstein group that provide financial and military aid for Kyiv. Russia’s advances have slowed this year — effectively grinding to a halt last month — as Ukrainian mid-range drone strikes have harmed its supplies and logistics for the front line.

Kyiv says the added funding will support weapons purchases, military pay and protection for critical infrastructure.

Kyiv wants to raise the money by the NATO Ankara Summit, claiming otherwise Russia may regain the initiative.