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On 9 January 2025, the Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defence will meet at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany. This was reported by Ukrinform, citing the airbase’s Public Affairs Office.
The meeting will be chaired by US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. This is the 25th meeting of the Contact Group established to coordinate international assistance to Ukraine in the defence sector.
Format and participants
Defence ministers and senior officials from the military departments of countries that support Ukraine in its struggle for sovereignty and territorial integrity are invited to participate in the meeting.
“Secretary of Defence Austin has again invited key representatives from around the world to discuss Ukraine’s current security and defence needs,” the statement said.
What is expected?
Previous meetings in the Ramstein format have become a platform for making important decisions on military assistance to Ukraine. In particular, they discussed the supply of weapons, ammunition, military equipment and training for the Ukrainian military.
It is likely that this meeting will also address the issue of providing Ukraine with air defence systems, modern tanks, artillery systems and other types of weapons.
Why is this important?
The Ukraine Defence Contact Group was established in April 2022 as a response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Ramstein format has become a key platform for international coordination of military assistance to Ukraine.
These meetings allow the Allies to respond quickly to changes in the situation at the frontline and to strengthen Ukraine’s ability to effectively defend itself against aggression.
The meeting on 9 January is of particular importance as it will take place against the backdrop of the winter campaign in Ukraine and the continuation of counter-offensive actions by the Ukrainian military.
