Ukraine secures air defense boost with Belgium and Spain: What else expected
Minister of Defense of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov (Photo: Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov held talks with his Belgian and Spanish counterparts, aligning on cooperation priorities ahead of the next Ramstein-format meeting, according to the Defense Minister's Telegram channel.
Cooperation priorities
Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov held talks with Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken and Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles. The parties synchronized key areas:
- Strengthening air defense;
- Developing drone capabilities;
- Implementing the Czech initiative to supply the front with long-range artillery.
Financial and military assistance
Belgium is allocating €1 billion in defense aid to Ukraine this year. The country has confirmed its intention to transfer additional F-16 fighter jets and ensure the supply of spare parts for existing aircraft.
Spain is also providing €1 billion in support to Ukraine in 2026. Particular attention was paid to developing cooperation between defense industries within the European SAFE mechanism.
Ukraine has proposed a list of manufacturers for cooperation with Spanish companies, as well as the opportunity to test Spanish drones in combat conditions.
Gratitude and results
The minister thanked Belgium and Spain for their consistent support. Thanks to win-win cooperation with partners, Ukraine continues to restrain the enemy on the ground, de-occupy territories, protect the sky, increase the effectiveness of intercepting missiles and drones, and strengthen strikes on Russia's economy.
On the eve of Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov's talks with Belgium and Spain, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced separate negotiations with European partners on creating a joint air defense system.
Ukrainian experience in protecting the sky, as well as the successful application of Ukrainian technologies to protect the Middle East (in particular, during the war in Iran), will serve as the basis for these discussions.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Ministers has launched an experimental project that allows for faster procurement, testing, and implementation of innovative defense solutions for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Additionally, the creation of Ukraine's own space forces is being discussed, linked to the need to counter Russian Oreshnik missiles and other threats in space.
