Starmer announces new Ramstein summit under British leadership
Photo: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Getty Images)
A new meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format will take place on April 11, chaired by the United Kingdom, according to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Speaking at a press conference following the "Coalition of the Willing" summit in Paris, Starmer confirmed that Ukraine's Western allies will continue to support Kyiv.
Therefore, on April 11, the UK will lead a new meeting of the Ukraine Defense Group to mobilize more military aid and support Ukraine in its struggle.
In his speech, the British Prime Minister also accused Russia of "delaying" and "playing for time" regarding a ceasefire in Ukraine.
"Over two weeks since Ukraine agreed to an immediate, 30-day ceasefire, that offer is still unanswered" by Russia, Starmer said.
He noted that Russia had also introduced new conditions and delays concerning a ceasefire in the Black Sea and emphasized that US President Trump was right to point out that Russia is stalling.
"We agreed here in Paris today that it’s clear the Russians are filibustering. They are playing games, and they’re playing for time. It is a classic from the Putin playbook, but we can’t let them drag this out while they continue prosecuting their illegal invasion," Starmer stressed.
The British Prime Minister added that Europe is now mobilizing together for peace in Ukraine at an unprecedented level in decades.
"We are determined to deliver a just and lasting peace because we know that it is vital for Ukraine and Europe as a whole, and I am clear that it’s also vital for Britain," Starmer concluded.
Next Ramstein format meeting
On February 12, the 26th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format was held at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
It was the first meeting after the inauguration of US President Donald Trump. The United States was represented by the new Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth. On that occasion, the Ramstein meeting was co-chaired by the US and the UK.
Later, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov outlined the key outcomes of the meeting.
Umerov also emphasized that the Ramstein mechanism is critically important for coordinating international assistance to Ukraine and remains a key platform for supporting Ukraine’s defense efforts.
