Allies plan military support and long-term package for Ukraine amid counteroffensive.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin convened the first meeting of allied defense ministers supporting Ukraine since Ukrainian forces launched a counteroffensive against occupying Russian forces. The meeting is expected to include discussions on how allied countries will train Ukrainian aviators to fly F-16 fighter jets, sustain battle tanks provided to Kyiv, and assist Ukraine in maintaining air defenses against ongoing Russian bombardment. The U.S. and other allies have steered the conversation away from a timeline for membership and toward military support to Ukraine beyond the current offensive, with an eye to creating security arrangements that could deter future Russian aggression.