Today, a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defence (Ramstein) will take place at a US air base in Germany. This time, it will be held in person, and Ukraine is represented by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
He has already met with US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin to discuss preparations for the meeting and key areas of cooperation. This is stated by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
"Today, coalition leaders are approving roadmaps for each of the eight areas of cooperation, which will set out strategic goals and key needs for military assistance until at least the end of 2027," Umerov said.
These documents, developed and agreed upon jointly by Ukraine and its partners, are expected to form the basis for support and allocation of assistance in such areas as air defence, artillery, armour, drones, air power and maritime security.
"Good to meet with my Ukrainian counterpart Minister Umerov at Ramstein Air Base ahead of the 25th Ukraine Defense Contact Group," Austin commented.
Good to meet with my Ukrainian counterpart Minister Umerov at Ramstein Air Base ahead of the 25th Ukraine Defense Contact Group. pic.twitter.com/SFKfBAgaeA
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) January 9, 2025
- The current meeting of the Contact Group in the Ramstein format is the last for Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. It is not known whether the new US Secretary of Defence, who will take office after Donald Trump's inauguration, will participate in this format.
- The Ukraine Defence Contact Group met for the first time in April 2022. Since then, the defence ministers of states friendly to Ukraine have met regularly to consolidate efforts to counter Russian aggression.