Ukraine's Allies Step Up Military Aid as Peace Talks Stall

Ukraine's allies in Europe have stepped up their game, promising billions in military support. This move comes as peace talks with Russia hit a snag. The UK's defense chief, John Healey, announced that over 21 billion euros ($24 billion) in new military aid has been pledged. This is a big deal, but there's a catch. Ukraine has had issues with some countries repeating old promises or not delivering the actual weapons and ammo they pledge. The NATO chief, Mark Rutte, mentioned that around $21 billion has already been given to Ukraine this year. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said over $26 billion has been committed so far. Meanwhile, in Moscow, a U. S. envoy was meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The envoy, Steve Witkoff, has been pushing for a truce, but it's unclear if Putin is really interested in stopping the fight. The war is now in its fourth year, and Russia seems to have the upper hand. Ukraine's defense minister, Rustem Umerov, said the meeting in Brussels was productive. He thanked each nation for their support. The UK and Norway are teaming up to spend over $580 million on military drones, radar systems, and anti-tank mines. They'll also help keep Ukrainian armored vehicles battle-ready. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy joined the meeting virtually and has been urging for more Patriot systems after a recent Russian missile attack. Russia has been dragging its feet on a U. S. ceasefire proposal, which has frustrated many. The Institute for the Study of War thinks Russia is using talks to delay negotiations. The U. S. is still committed to peace, but it's clear that the war is far from over. Observers expect a new Russian offensive soon. Germany, the Netherlands, and Estonia are among the countries stepping up their military support to Ukraine. The U. S. defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, was notably absent from the forum. At the last meeting, he warned that the U. S. has other priorities and that Europe needs to step up for Ukraine's security. The situation is tense, and it's clear that Ukraine's allies are trying to strengthen their support as the war continues.