Defence Minister Yuriko Backes on Monday participated in a virtual meeting of the so-called ‘Ukraine Defense Contact Group’ (UDCG), at the invitation of US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. Addressing the UDCG members, Minister Backes outlined the progress of the ‘IT Coalition’, including the recent delivery of the first order of ICT equipment to the armed forces of Ukraine, and announced additional supplies worth €5.2 million.
To date, twelve nations have joined the IT Coalition, with one additional membership pending. “We encourage all nations to join the IT Coalition and thus support Ukraine’s armed forces in the cyber domain,” emphasised Backes on Monday.
The UDCG currently brings together some 50 countries, including the 32 NATO allies and other countries that have committed to supporting Ukraine militarily. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, Kyiv has received an estimated $95 billion in aid.
