Syrsky and ARES discussed military support for Ukraine

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine General Oleksandr Syrskyi met with General Sir Richard Shirreff, Chairman of the ARES Military Expert Council. During the talks, the parties discussed mechanisms for military-technical assistance and continued support for Ukraine.

He announced this on Facebook.

"I held a video conference with the Chairman of the ARES (Allied Reform and Expert Support) Military Expert Council, General Sir Richard Shirreff," Syrskyi noted.

According to him, ARES is an important mechanism for strengthening international support for Ukraine and promoting the interests and needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the highest military and political circles of partner states.

The parties discussed the council’s key tasks, the procedures for their implementation, and the areas of consultative and advisory work, including the development of military-strategic dialogue with the leadership of partner countries, deepening cooperation, and mechanisms for military-technical support to Ukraine.

"For us, this is a practical tool for attracting additional assistance, expertise, and support for the decisions necessary to develop and strengthen the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Syrskyi emphasized.

In April 2026, the Armed Forces of Ukraine established the ARES (Allied Reform and Expert Support) Military Expert Council. This is an advisory body tasked with exchanging advanced Ukrainian and international experience for the development of the military.

The council is chaired by Sir Richard Shirreff, who served as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of NATO’s Allied Forces from 2011 to 2014.

The council includes other prominent military leaders and experts from partner countries, among them former Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, General David Petraeus, former Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Transformation of NATO, Admiral Manfred Nilsson, and former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic, Lieutenant General Pavel Macko.

Syrsky and the Norwegian Chief of Defense visited combat units in the south.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine have liberated approximately 590 square kilometers since the beginning of the year

Ukraine, together with its German partners, is expanding drone production in Germany. This involves not only increasing the number of drones for the front lines but also creating backup sites in case of attacks, disruptions, or other force majeure events.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, together with NATO member states, announced the launch of the first competition for the development of next-generation defense technologies. The initiative is being implemented as part of the UNITE – Brave NATO program.