A $580 million military aid package for Ukraine is unveiled by the UK ahead of possible peace negotiations

Britain has strengthened its stance ahead of possible peace negotiations with Russia by pledging $580 million in military assistance to Ukraine.

In an effort to strengthen Kyiv’s stance ahead of any potential peace deal with Russia, Britain has unveiled a new military aid package for Ukraine worth £450 million ($580 million).

The UK Ministry of Defence says that £350 million of the new package will come from Britain’s £4.5 billion military aid fund for Ukraine this year, with Norway set to contribute more. At a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels on Friday, which was co-chaired by German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and British Defense Minister John Healey, the financing was confirmed.

In addition to providing radar systems, anti-tank mines, and hundreds of thousands of drones to improve Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities, the help will pay for critical repairs and upkeep of military vehicles and equipment.

During the meeting, Healey is anticipated to say, “The work of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and pile pressure on [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to help force him to end this terrible war.” “Today’s major package will boost support to Ukraine’s frontline fight because we cannot jeopardize peace by forgetting the war.”

The declaration comes after defense ministers from the “coalition of the willing,” a UK-and France-led initiative created to support peacekeeping activities in Ukraine in the event that a settlement is found in the current conflict, met with Healey on Thursday.