Europe pledges billions to aid Ukraine's military

European nations pledged billions in new military aid for Ukraine, as a U.S. envoy met with Vladimir Putin to discuss peace efforts. This aid aims to bolster Ukraine's defense amid ongoing conflict. The aid package, totaling over 21 billion euros, was announced at a meeting of Ukraine's Western backers. The U.S. envoy's meeting with Putin occurred while questions persist about Russia's willingness to end the war, now in its fourth year. The meeting occurred amid expectations of a new Russian offensive. Ukraine seeks more air defense systems, while the U.S. continues to pursue a ceasefire despite Russia's reluctance to agree.