Ukraine contact group talks to focus on servicing arms: German Minister

Western defence officials meeting in Germany to discuss support for Ukraine are to focus on financing the maintenance of arms already delivered and "not at all" on Ukraine's application to join NATO, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said, reported dpa.

"It costs a lot of money and has to be financed," Pistorius said in reference to the maintenance hub that will service German-made weapons, such as the Marder infantry fighting vehicles, the Leopard main battle tanks and the Panzerhaubitze 2000 artillery pieces.

"These are really cost-intensive measures, as this armour has to be maintained quite differently when used under real combat conditions," Pistorius told national public broadcaster ZDF. Clear decisions had to be taken on who would pay for this, he said.

Pistorius added that the meeting at the US air base at Ramstein would also discuss strengthening Ukraine's air defences and the delivery of combat jets.