Healey to call for 50-day drive to arm Ukraine and support Trump ceasefire deadline
Defence Secretary John Healey will call on Western allies to join a 50-day drive to arm Ukraine, as he chairs the latest meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) on Monday.
The US has set a 2 September deadline for Moscow to agree to peace – or face harsh sanctions.
Mr Healey is expected to urge Nato countries to step up support for Kyiv, arguing that a renewed surge in weapons deliveries could help bring Russian president Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Trump's 50-day ceasefire ultimatum
Mr Healey will also endorse a 50-day countdown set by US President Donald Trump, who has warned that Russia must agree to a ceasefire by 2 September or face "crippling" economic sanctions.
"Alongside this, the US has started the clock on a 50-day deadline for Putin to agree to peace or face crippling economic sanctions," Mr Healey is expected to tell the meeting.
"As members of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, we need to step up in turn with a '50-day drive' to arm Ukraine on the battlefield and force Putin to the negotiating table."
What is the Ukraine Defence Contact Group?
Monday's meeting marks the fourth time Mr Healey has chaired the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), and the third alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
The group brings together defence ministers and officials from more than 50 countries backing Ukraine.
The UDCG was previously chaired by the United States, but the role shifted after President Trump reduced direct US involvement.
Pressure on Germany to send Taurus missiles
Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge said the Government was right to continue supporting Ukraine and to back the US deadline.
"it is also important that we stand firm alongside the United States in reinforcing their 50-day deadline to ensure Putin is under maximum pressure to pursue peace," he said.
"That means all of our allies playing their part, and following the PM's recent summit with Chancellor Merz, we hope that this 50-day drive will include German confirmation that it intends to provide Taurus missiles to Ukraine."
The Taurus KEPD 350 is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile developed by Germany and Sweden.
Capable of striking targets up to 500km away with high precision, it would give Ukraine the ability to strike deep inside Russian territory.
Kyiv has been requesting Taurus missiles for more than a year, arguing they are crucial for disrupting Russian supply lines in occupied Crimea and along the eastern frontline.
Ukraine is already using missiles provided by the US and UK. Taurus, however, has a longer range than any weapons Ukraine currently has and can carry more ammunition.
UK contributions: drones, missiles, and more
The Ministry of Defence says the UK has delivered £150m of air defence missiles and artillery rounds to Ukraine in the past two months.
This is part of a wider £700m commitment for 2024.
Britain has also supplied 50,000 drones over the last six months, with another 20,000 on the way as part of a coalition effort led by the UK and Latvia.
Further pledges are expected, including a joint UK-German initiative to procure more air defence missiles using €170m of funding from Berlin.
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