NATO to Step Up Ukraine Aid as Russia Warns of Escalation

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance would be able to secure funding for military assistance to Ukraine through the PURL mechanism before the end of the year.

After a meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group in Berlin, he said burden sharing among member states remained uneven but was gradually improving. He described support for Ukraine as a shared priority on both sides of the Atlantic.

At the same time, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni signalled interest in joint drone production with Kyiv, describing it as not only a moral but also a strategic necessity.

Russia’s defense ministry criticized the moves, warning that increased drone supplies from Europe could draw the country further into the conflict.

(reuters, mja)