U.K., European states bankroll Ukraine defense amid U.S.-Russia talks

The United Kingdom on Tuesday committed $135 million to boost Ukraine’s air defenses this winter. The funds will purchase large-caliber artillery rounds, drones, and interceptor missiles for Ukraine's Patriot air defense system, the U.K. defense ministry said. The money was given to a NATO fund established by the United States to support Ukraine. The United Kingdom will stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine until it wins, said Wes Streeting, the U.K. defense secretary.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Britain for the funds, adding that the U.S.-made Patriot missile system was needed to combat airstrikes from Russia this winter. He said that even as recently as Monday night, such attacks killed two people and wounded 23 in Kyiv.

Has the EU loaned any money for missiles? Also on Tuesday, the European Commission and NATO agreed to purchase $3.5 billion worth of interceptor missiles for Ukraine. The purchase stemmed from a disbursement of the Commission’s $105 billion loan for Ukraine. The funds will allow Ukraine to better protect its skies from Russia's attacks, said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

What’s the latest on U.S.-led talks between Russia and Ukraine? U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff recently held talks in Kyiv and Moscow as part of an effort to end the conflict with Russia. While no breakthrough was made, Zelenskyy said they held three rounds of negotiations. Later, Zelenskyy discussed with Kushner and Witkoff the supplies needed for Ukraine to continue fighting through the winter. 

Dig deeper: Listen to William Fleeson’s report for The World and Everything in It on the new classrooms Ukrainians have built despite attacks from Russia.