**Turkey and Belgium Join Forces to Support Ukraine’s Defense**
In a significant development, Turkey and Belgium are set to join the international Drone Coalition supporting Ukraine. The coalition, co-led by Latvia and the United Kingdom, is expected to allocate 2.75 billion euros ($3.1 billion) in 2025 to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
According to Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds, who announced this decision at the Drone Summit in Riga on May 28, “The international Drone Coalition is becoming increasingly stronger — we will be able to deliver more drones to Ukraine while simultaneously strengthening the defense industries of Latvia, the EU, and NATO countries. Our strength lies in unity.”
With Turkey and Belgium on board, the coalition will grow to 20 member states. The coalition was officially launched in February 2024, and includes countries such as Germany, Canada, France, Poland, Sweden, and Ukraine, among others.
**Drone Coalition: A Key Player in Supporting Ukraine’s Defense**
The Drone Coalition plays a crucial role in supporting Ukraine’s use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which have become key in targeting Russian military infrastructure. Since its inception, the coalition has committed a total of 4.5 billion euros ($5 billion) in aid to Ukraine over two years.
In March, the coalition allocated 20 million euros ($22.5 million) from a joint fund to procure tactical reconnaissance drones for Ukraine, following an urgent request from Kyiv. The coalition complements Ukraine’s domestic initiatives such as the “Drone Line,” launched in February, which aims to accelerate battlefield drone deployment.
**Russia Reacts: Claims of Drone Shootdowns and Peace Efforts**
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that talks with Turkey and Belgium would be a continuation of negotiations launched in Istanbul on May 16. However, Russia’s claims of drone shootdowns were met with skepticism by Ukraine and its allies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recalled a recent successful operation by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, which used 400 small drones simultaneously and destroyed 40 pieces of Russian military hardware.
**International Support for Ukraine Continues**
The international community continues to show strong support for Ukraine. The German government will “do everything to ensure that Nord Stream 2 cannot be put back into operation,” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on May 28.
Germany and Ukraine will sign a memorandum on the joint purchase of “long-range fires” manufactured by Ukraine, according to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. President Zelensky hopes that in June 2026, there will be no more war in Ukraine, but Russia will still feel the pressure of sanctions.
The situation remains fluid, with Russia continuing its aggression and Ukraine and its allies working to strengthen their defense efforts.
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