Twenty-six Western nations have partnered to raise over 1.5 billion euros ($1.55 billion) of additional, long-term military support for Ukraine against the Russian invasion.
The amount pledged “will be used to supply existing weapons, missiles and ammunition, increase weapon production for Ukraine, train Ukrainian soldiers, and de-mine war-torn areas in Ukraine,” Reuters reported.
The announcement was made during the Copenhagen Conference for Northern European Defence Allies of Ukraine on August 11. It was hosted by the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Ukraine.
Response to Ukraine Request
The commitment comes in response to the Ukrainian government’s request for additional weaponry, including long-range artillery that has proved a “game-changer” during recent operations.
Danish Defence Minister Morten Bodskov said that Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic expressed interest in expanding their production of munitions, systems, and related military equipment for Ukraine, according to the report.
Despite the previous provision of training and necessary support, the British government pledged an additional 300 million euros ($307 million), including guided multiple launch rocket systems and M31A1 missiles during the conference.
“President Putin would have gambled that come August…we would have all got bored of the conflict and the international community would have gone off in different directions. Well today is proof of the opposite,” UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stated during the event.