Leaders from the Ukraine Defense Contact Group are meeting virtually to discuss further military support for Kyiv, as it continues to defend against Russia's full-scale invasion. At that meeting, Germany said it would help provide a total of five Patriot missile defense systems to Ukraine, after previously pledging to pay for two units. The meeting was hours after Ukraine had launched major drone attacks on Russia overnight, sowing chaos at the country's airports. Kyiv has increasingly targeted the Russian capital, launching at least 60 drones at Moscow over the weekend. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and Russia will hold another round of talks on Wednesday. This blog on Russia's war in Ukraine from Monday, July 21, is now closed. Thank you for reading. Skip next section PM Store says Norway ready to help fund Patriots for Ukraine 07/22/2025July 22, 2025 PM Store says Norway ready to help fund Patriots for Ukraine Press conference by Chancellor Merz and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, Jonas Gahr Store, at the Chancellery in BerlinPress conference by Chancellor Merz and the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, Jonas Gahr Store, at the Chancellery in Berlin Store made the remarks at a press conference after meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in BerlinImage: Uwe Koch/IMAGO Norway is ready to help Germany fund Patriot missile systems for Ukraine, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said Monday. Store made the remarks at a press conference after meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin. "Norway is prepared to share the bill. We will make a significant contribution. This is the most immediate operational solution we can provide," Store said. US President Donald Trump said last week that the US would be selling Patriot units to European NATO members, which will then be sent to Ukraine. Merz explained that Germany would supply two of its existing nine Patriot units to Ukraine, with the US due to provide "replacements." "But this replacement has not yet actually been procured," the chancellor said, adding that US and German defense ministers were in discussions "about where the replacement will come from." Merz added that he was "extremely grateful that the Norwegian government and the prime minister have shown such commitment and are willing to share the costs we will incur if we have to make the necessary replacement purchases." Store, for his part, pointed out that Norway has already supplied "a great deal of air defense" to Ukraine, namely the Norwegian-made NASAMS system. He praised Germany for "sending a clear signal that it is ready to deliver a Patriot system." But, he added, "the US would be very helpful if they explained clearly how this can work." "I think President Trump's message of contributing to this is a good start. But things have to be clear," Store said. https://p.dw.com/p/4xoRS Copy link Skip next section Ukraine, Russia to hold next round of talks on Wednesday — Zelenskyy 07/21/2025July 21, 2025 Ukraine, Russia to hold next round of talks on Wednesday — Zelenskyy Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine and Russia will hold another round of talks on Wednesday. Two previous rounds held in Istanbul failed to yield any meaningful progress on a ceasefire. The only agreements reached were for the large-scale exchanges of prisoners of war (POWs). "Today, I discussed with (Ukrainian Defense Minister) Rustem Umerov the preparations for the exchange and another meeting in Turkey with the Russian side. Umerov reported that the meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. More details will be available tomorrow," Zelenskyy said in his daily address. On Sunday, Zelenskyy had proposed a fresh round of direct negotiations. Moscow responded earlier Monday, with the Kremlin saying Russia is open to talks but that significant work remained before they could take place, as both sides remained "diametrically opposed." Before Zelenskyy confirmed the talks would be held on Wednesday, he had said that detailed negotiations on a ceasefire would not be on the agenda. The meeting would instead deal with furthering the return of Ukrainian POWs and children abducted from Ukraine by Russia, in addition to laying the groundwork for Zelenskyy and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to meet. Moscow wants Ukraine to cede territories that Russia has illegally occupied since launching its 2022 invasion. Kyiv wants Russia to end its attack and respect Ukraine's desire to join the NATO military alliance.