Ramstein-24 in Germany: What’s on agenda for Ukraine allies' meeting
Photo: US and Ukrainian Defense Ministers Lloyd Austin and Rustem Umerov (getty images)
After nearly three months, Ukraine's allies will hold a new Ramstein-format meeting. This time, the talks will be held in person in Germany, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expected to attend.
Read more about the Ramstein-24 meeting in RBC-Ukraine's article below.
Content:
- Return of Ramstein after summer break
- Zelenskyy plans to attend the meeting
- Air defense and long-range capabilities. Key topics for Ramstein-24
Return of Ramstein after summer break
Ukraine Defense Contact Group will gather on September 6 at the US Air Force Base in Ramstein-Miesenbach, Germany.
This will be the first meeting in nearly three months. The last Ramstein-format talks took place on June 13, 2024, in Brussels.
The meeting will be chaired by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Quinton Brown Jr.
Other participants in the Contact Group include defense representatives from over 50 countries providing military aid to Ukraine in its fight against Russia's large-scale aggression.
Zelenskyy plans to attend the meeting
A day before the Ramstein meeting, it was reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy might participate in the discussions.
According to Spiegel, during the Contact Group meeting, the Ukrainian leader plans to describe the seriousness of the situation currently unfolding in Ukraine. The publication's journalists believe Zelenskyy’s visit will shift the meeting's atmosphere to a more political tone.
It is worth noting that Volodymyr Zelenskyy first attended a Ramstein meeting in person on October 11, 2023, at NATO headquarters in Brussels. At that time, discussions focused on enhancing air defense, supplying ammunition, and forming an aviation coalition.
Air defense and long-range capabilities. Key topics for Ramstein-24
In light of recent deadly Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities, one of the main topics of Ramstein-24 will be strengthening air defense.
Announcing the meeting, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that partners will strive to meet Ukraine’s urgent battlefield needs, including air defense capabilities to counter Russian drones and missile attacks.
Austin added that the US continues to make efforts "to ensure Ukraine has the capabilities needed to defend its territory and deter Russian aggression in the long-term."
According to Spiegel, if President Zelenskyy attends the meeting, he will emphasize the need for long-range weapons and enhanced air defense.
The Ukrainian president seeks to appeal to Western partners for further arms supplies to combat Russia, including long-range missiles and additional air defense systems, the German media report states.
The discussion about providing Ukraine with long-range missiles and their use for strikes deep into Russia has been ongoing for several months. Western nations have refused Ukrainian requests for long-range capabilities citing escalation concerns.
Notably, ahead of Ramstein-24, several allies have announced new air defense systems for Ukraine.
Germany has ordered 17 IRIS-T air defense systems for Ukraine. These will complement the previously provided seven batteries. Four systems are expected to be delivered by the end of 2024, with the remainder starting in the following year, according to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Romania has announced the transfer of one of its two operational Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine.
Sources: Publications from the US Department of Defense, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder's statement, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov's post on X, Spiegel, Bloomberg.
