Ukraine's Defense Minister names 4 priorities of military strategy for 2025
Photo: Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine).
On January 9, Ukraine presented its military strategy for 2025 during the 25th session of the Ramstein meeting. It is based on 4 key priorities, according to Defense Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umerov.
Umerov named the following priorities:
- stabilization of the frontline
- strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities
- strengthening the protection of the sky and sea routes
- an asymmetric response to Russia's attempts to gain an advantage through scale.
The Minister of Defense said that this was one of the most important meetings in the Ramstein format, which was another step in strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities.
During the meeting, the roadmaps for the development of the Ukrainian Defense Forces until 2027, developed within the framework of 8 Capability Coalitions, were approved:
- aviation
- air defense
- maritime capabilities
- artillery
- armored vehicles
- IT
- drones
- demining.
“We have moved to a new level of cooperation: in addition to meeting the immediate needs of the war, we will also work on building the long-term capabilities of our army,” the Defense Minister wrote.
Help from partners
Umerov said that new aid packages were announced during the meeting.
- The United States: a new $500 million aid package that will include air defense missiles, air-to-air missiles, and equipment for F-16 aircraft.
- Canada: C$440 million ($305 million) in aid, including $100 million for the purchase of Ukrainian weapons based on the Danish model.
- United Kingdom: together with NATO allies, will provide Ukraine with 30,000 new drones worth £45 million ($55 million). The project involves Denmark, the Netherlands, Latvia, and Sweden.
- Norway: 700 million Norwegian kroner ($60 million) to purchase drones as part of a multinational initiative.
- Germany: in 2025, it will transfer 6 IRIS-T air defense systems and in the near future will provide 50 interceptor missiles for these systems.
- Iceland: will finance the production of Ukrainian weapons under the Danish model for 2 million euros.
The Ramstein format is an international coordination platform for discussing and coordinating military assistance to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. Its official name is the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense.
This format was launched in April 2022 at the initiative of the United States. The first meeting took place at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, which gave the format its name. Since then, the participating countries have been meeting regularly to coordinate efforts to provide weapons, ammunition, equipment, and humanitarian aid, and to discuss strategic aspects of military support to Ukraine.
During the 3 years of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ramstein members declared more than $145 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.
