European NATO states prepare winter military support for Ukraine

At a meeting in Paris, the five strongest European NATO members agreed to bolster Ukraine ahead of winter.

The group, known as the E5, includes Germany, France, Poland, the United Kingdom and Italy.

Their winter support packages include air-defence systems and other equipment for Ukraine.

The E5 are also working with Ukraine on a new air-defence system to add to Patriots and other existing systems.

NATO Deputy Secretary General Radmila Šekerinska said Ukraine needs more air and missile defence as Russian pressure grows.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of showing no real interest in a ceasefire or peace and said Russia was targeting energy and water supplies.

The allies are urging more air-defence help now, while Pistorius said they would seek US deliveries and intelligence and satellite data; a further E5 ministers' meeting is planned for March in Rome.