New Ramstein meeting in sight: Key details on the 25th gathering of Ukraine's allies

Сontents

• Main takes about the meeting on January 9
• What to expect from the Ramstein 25 meeting
• Why the last leaders' meeting was canceled
• Results of the Ramstein meetings and their importance for Ukraine

Main takes about the meeting on January 9

Ukraine's allies will hold a regular Ramstein meeting on Thursday, January 9. The offline talks will take place at the US Air Force base in Germany - Ramstein AB.

This will be the 25th meeting since the format was created, and it was postponed almost four months from the previously scheduled date.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will chair the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG). The participants include military representatives from more than 50 countries.

“The Pentagon chief has again invited defense ministers and senior military officials from around the world to discuss their continued support for Ukraine,” the air base's press service said in a statement about the January 9 talks.

Recently, the US Defense Secretary discussed planning a meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov. In late December, Lloyd Austin also had a phone conversation with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius about support for Ukraine and the new Ramstein.

Photo: Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin will chair Ramstein 25 (Getty Images)

Today's meeting will be the last for the administration of US President Joe Biden. It takes place less than two weeks before the inauguration of Donald Trump, who will introduce his team and, accordingly, the new head of the Pentagon.

The day before, it became known that the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy would attend.

What to expect from the Ramstein 25 meeting

Today, the Ramstein participants will focus on support that will strengthen Ukraine in deterring Russian aggression now and in the future. According to Zelenskyy, one of the topics will be the transfer of air defense systems. The Ukrainian side is also counting on solutions against Russian aircraft and bombs.

The Pentagon released a statement calling the January 9 meeting a landmark. It also stated that it would actually present a plan for Ukraine's defense capabilities to maintain a credible deterrent force until 2027.

In particular, the leaders of the 8 coalitions will approve roadmaps with Ukraine's needs and goals in air force, armor, artillery, demining, drones, air and missile defense, information technology, and maritime security.

“These roadmaps are intended to enable donors to plan for and support Ukraine sustainably into the future,” the Pentagon explained.

Earlier, the head of Ukraine's mission to NATO, Nataliia Galibarenko, said she was looking forward to practical results, as she believes the administration in Washington has something to offer Kyiv. The North Atlantic Alliance recently began coordinating military assistance.

The US is also expected to announce a significant military aid package today. It will be the final package from the Biden administration. The aid will be allocated from the existing US army stocks and Ukraine will receive it by January 20.

The contents of the package are unknown. According to AP sources, Washington is running out of time to spend the remaining $4 billion approved by Congress in 2024. Ukraine expects a package of 500 million.

Why the last leaders' meeting was canceled

Ramstein 25 was supposed to take place on October 12, 2024. In addition to military officials, about 20 leaders planned to attend, and Biden was to chair it.

The Ukrainian delegation was to be headed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy. At the time, he said that he would present a victory plan to all partners at Ramstein.

However, the meeting had to be postponed due to Hurricane Milton in the United States. Joe Biden canceled his trip to Germany.

The White House initially considered options for holding the Ramstein meeting with Biden online. The date was later postponed again amid the US presidential election.

Results of the Ramstein meetings and their importance for Ukraine

The UDCG was established at the initiative of the United States amidst a full-scale Russian invasion. The first meeting took place on April 26, 2022, at the Ramstein air base in Germany, which is where the format's name came from.

The UDCG includes about 50 countries, both NATO members and neutral states. They came together to coordinate and accelerate military assistance to Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invasion.

Over the two and a half years, 24 meetings have taken place, resulting in the reinforcement of the Ukrainian Defense Forces with modern weapons. The allies have formed important coalitions to supply Ukraine with artillery, tanks, air defense systems, F-16 fighters, drones, demining equipment, and more.

The previous Ramstein meeting took place in Germany on September 6, 2024. For the first time, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended in person. The leader of the state called on partners to unblock the supply of long-range missiles and provide extra air defense systems.

Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Ramstein meeting (president.gov.ua)

As a result of Ramstein 24, the allies announced the supply of additional air defense systems, ammunition, missiles, howitzers, pilot training, and equipment for the F-16, etc.

• The US announced a $250 million support package (missiles for air defense systems, ammunition for missile systems and artillery, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons);
• Germany announced the transfer of 12 Panzerhaubitze 2000 howitzers, 77 Leopard 1A5 battle tanks, and 17 medium- and short-range IRIS-T systems;
• the UK - the supply of 650 light multipurpose missiles;
• Canada - training Ukrainian pilots on F-16s and transferring equipment to Ukrainian air bases and the Navy;
• the Netherlands - the transfer of equipment for the maintenance of F-16 fighters and additional air-to-air missiles for the F-16;
• Spain - the transfer of a HAWK air defense battery with six launchers.

In mid-November 2024, Ukraine received permission from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to use long-range missiles, including Storm Shadow and ATACMS, to strike at Russian territory.

Sources: Radio Liberty, the US Department of Defense, the White House website, and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.