"We emphasize our intention to continue helping Ukraine, including through military support in the short and long term", say the defense ministers after Saturday's meeting.
The defense ministers from Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, and the USA further emphasize that they support Ukraine on its "irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership".
The statement comes at the same time as Ukraine is preparing for a third war winter, with a difficult situation and losses in the east and concerns about reduced military support if Donald Trump wins the US election in November. President Joe Biden urged NATO countries on Friday during a visit to Berlin not to back down on their support for Kyiv.
At the same time, there is new concern in Ukraine after reports that thousands of soldiers from North Korea are on their way to join Russia's invasion war. NATO's Secretary-General Mark Rutte said on Friday that they had not been able to confirm the reports, which come from South Korean intelligence services.
