Patriot systems and F-16 support among highlights of Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting

Key outcomes

"During the Ramstein-format meeting (Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting - ed.), we received an important signal: the free world stands with Ukraine and peace. Together with our partners, we focused on the main priority — strengthening the defense capabilities of the Ukrainian army," he said.

The minister also listed the key decisions made by the partners:

• United States – together with NATO, they are launching a new mechanism that will allow European countries to purchase American weapons for Ukraine. Specific parameters of this initiative have been discussed. Germany is already joining the supply of five Patriot systems, which are expected to be delivered soon;

• Germany – is providing over 200,000 rounds of ammunition for Gepard systems and is also funding the procurement of Ukrainian long-range drones;

• Canada – will continue financing Ukraine’s defense industry through the Danish model and is allocating 20 million Canadian dollars (over 14.6 million USD) for the maintenance of Ukrainian tanks;

• Netherlands – is providing 200 million euros for interceptor drones and 125 million euros for F-16 aircraft maintenance;

• Norway – in 2025, has allocated a total of 1 billion euros for drone procurement, including 400 million euros for purchases from the Ukrainian defense industry;

• Sweden – is preparing a new package that includes air defense equipment, artillery, and vehicles.

Participants

According to Shmyhal, the 29th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting brought together 52 countries and organizations. It was chaired by UK Defense Secretary John Healey and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

Participants included US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Commander of US European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Alexus Grynkewich, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

The Ukrainian delegation included:

• Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Rustem Umerov

• Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, General Oleksandr Syrskyi

• Chief of the General Staff, Major General Andrii Hnatov

• Chief of the Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov

• First Deputy Minister of Defense, Serhii Boiev.

Pistorius' promise

Earlier, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, during the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, pledged that Germany, together with the United States, would ensure the delivery of five Patriot systems to Ukraine.

These systems are critically important for Ukraine’s air defense, as they are capable of intercepting enemy ballistic missiles.