Twenty countries have pledged new military aid to Ukraine in its fight against invading Russian military forces, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced on May 23 after the second meeting of the Contact Group for Ukraine.
Denmark has agreed to provide Ukraine with a Harpoon launcher and missiles to "help Ukraine defend its coastline," Austin said at a press conference after the virtual rally.
The Czech Republic has also agreed to send "significant support" to Ukraine, including a "recent donation of attack helicopters, tanks and missile systems," Austin added.
In all, 20 countries "announced new packages of security assistance," Austin said, including "donations of critically needed artillery ammunition, coastal defense systems, tanks and other armored vehicles."
"Others have outlined new commitments to train Ukrainian forces and maintain its military systems," Austin added.
A total of 47 countries participated in the second meeting of the contact group, said Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.
The group was briefed by Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov on the current situation in the three-month war.
"Today, together with Minister Reznikov and his team, we gained a sharper and shared sense of Ukraine's priority requirements and the situation on the battlefield," Austin said.
Since the group's first meeting at a US military base in Germany four weeks ago, Austin said, "the momentum of donations and deliveries has been extraordinary."
He said that Ukraine's needs have not changed much since the previous meeting, that the war is still being waged by artillery, supported by tanks, drones and other equipment.
"The fight has really been shaped by the artillery at this stage and we've seen some serious exchanges of artillery fire over the last few weeks," Austin said.
He added that the Ukrainian Contact Group will meet in person on June 15 during the NATO ministerial meeting in Brussels.
With coverage by AFP and CNN
Bonus video:
