World · Europe · 1 hr ago
European ministers pledge continued support for Ukraine as war intensifies
Defence ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the UK met in Paris to discuss support for Ukraine and European defence.
The meeting came as Russia and Ukraine continue attacks, and European officials said Kyiv faces difficult months ahead.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Ukraine faces a brutal winter, with no sign of peace soon.
The meeting took place amid a renewed US effort to bring Ukraine and Russia into talks, but German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said he saw no sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted peace.
The ministers said Europe must keep supporting Kyiv despite uncertainty about US backing.
France’s defence minister said the five countries would work together on arms production and making their military equipment work better together.
Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the US are expected to meet in Abu Dhabi in early November, while European ministers continue discussing military assistance.
Defense ministers from the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Poland and France met in Paris on October 26 to discuss support for Ukraine.
The ministers said they would continue supporting Ukraine and called Russia the main long-term threat to European security.
They announced no new military or financial aid packages and reaffirmed earlier commitments.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas warned that Ukraine faces a “brutal winter” and said there was no hope for imminent peace.
The discussions took place amid intensifying attacks and uncertainty about continued U.S. support for Ukraine.
- Who
- Defense ministers from France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom met with EU representatives.
- What
- They discussed continued support for Ukraine and European defence cooperation. They announced no new aid packages.
- When
- October 26, 2026.
- Where
- Paris, France.
- Why
- To discuss support for Ukraine amid the war, intensifying attacks and uncertainty about U.S. backing.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
At a meeting in Berlin, the five European powers pledged continued support for Ukraine.
Defense ministers from the E5 countries met in Paris to discuss Ukraine support and European defence.
The ministers reaffirmed earlier commitments to support Ukraine but announced no new aid packages.
Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia and the United States are expected to meet in Abu Dhabi.
- E5 countries
- France, Germany, Italy, Poland and the United Kingdom
- Meeting date
- October 26, 2026
- Meeting location
- Paris, France
- New aid packages announced
- None
- Expected negotiations
- Abu Dhabi, UAE, in the first half of November
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What people are saying
The new diplomatic push is there, but it's also clear that Putin's actions tell a different story
We will do everything we can to ensure that the U.S. also supports Ukraine with supplies, as well as with intelligence and satellite data.
There is no signal whatsoever that Putin is looking for peace.
Produce more, produce faster, produce equipment suited to today’s conflicts – but we must already be planning for the conflicts of tomorrow