Ukraine urges for more weapons and fighter jets as 50 allies meet in Germany

Delegates from 50 countries allied to Ukraine met at America's Ramstein Air Base in Germany. 

The Ukraine Defence Contact Group meets monthly and was formed a year ago to help Ukraine defend itself against the illegal Russian invasion.

Kyiv is urgently pressing its supporters to provide more surface to air missiles and forty F-16 fighter jets.

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"It's been nearly a year since this group first met, right here at Ramstein," US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said. "And I hear that many of you refer to this as the 'Ramstein forum'. So, it feels right that we're back here to reaffirm our shared unity and resolve." 

This comes as Ukraine's surface to air missiles have responded to heavy barrages of Russian missiles and Ukrainian forces released footage showing its soldiers fighting Russian forces in Bakhmut.

To counter the Russian bombardment, Ukraine also wants its allies to donate 40 F-16 fighter jets.  

Yuri Sak adviser to the Ukrainian Defence Minister said: "It's one per cent of the actual number of F16s around the world. So we think that  this is not too much to ask for when it comes to defending global freedom."  

Fresh from a Ukraine visit, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: "We continue to stand by Ukraine as they continue to repel the Russian aggression against their country.

"The main focus now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails."