Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense, announced a phone conversation with Belgium’s defense minister Ludivine Dedonder, sharing the update on social media. The two ministers spoke about ongoing security concerns and regional dynamics, highlighting a shared interest in sustaining practical defense collaboration between Kyiv and Brussels.
Umerov noted that the talks yielded a constructive exchange, with Belgium confirming its willingness to provide military support to Ukraine to the tune of 611 million euros. The pledge underscores Brussels’ ongoing commitment to strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities and resilience in the face of evolving threats.
Media briefings from Brussels indicated that the European Union intends to honor its longer-term commitments to modernize the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The conversations with Dedonder covered strategic avenues for cooperation as Ukraine continues its reform and modernization programs, aligning with European security objectives.
The Ukrainian minister and his Belgian counterpart also touched on the broader Russia-Ukraine conflict and explored avenues for enhanced cooperation between Kyiv and Brussels, including potential policy coordination and shared security assurances. The dialogue comes ahead of higher-level discussions about sustained support from European partners.
Aja Labib, who previously led the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented that EU foreign policy officials aim to finalize a framework for long-term financial assistance to Ukraine in time for the upcoming summit. The intent is to streamline support while ensuring alignment with shared strategic goals among member states.
While the total amount of funding available through existing mechanisms has been increased multiple times, reaching consensus remains a prerequisite. Hungary has historically blocked certain EU aid packages, with Prime Minister Viktor Orban voicing concerns that such measures could affect his country’s interests. This persistent veto power complicates rapid consensus on larger financial packages for Kyiv.
Separately, there were discussions at the European Commission regarding the tally of Russian sovereign assets frozen within the European Union, reflecting ongoing efforts to manage and repurpose frozen resources in support of Ukraine and international sanctions regimes. The conversations illustrate the broader EU strategy to coordinate fiscal and diplomatic tools with allied partners in support of Ukraine’s security and sovereignty.