A few days before the inauguration of the future US President Donald Trump, Ukraine’s partners are meeting at the US air force base in Ramstein. At the largest air base outside the United States, defense ministers and senior military officials will discuss further support for the leadership in Kiev in the war against Russia on Thursday (11 a.m.).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has also announced his presence. “The key task for Ukraine is to strengthen our air defense, to at least enable Ukraine to keep the Russian Air Force away from our cities and borders,” said the head of state in his daily video message.
In addition to talks in the so-called Ramstein format, bilateral talks at defense minister level are also planned. According to Zelensky, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umjerow is already in Germany and is holding talks.
The Ukraine contact group meets in Ramstein
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin invited the members of the so-called Ukraine Contact Group to the conference. This includes Germany. As at previous meetings in Ramstein, Palatinate, representatives from states that are not members of NATO are also expected. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD), NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and EU Foreign Affairs Representative Kaja Kallas are also expected.
Russia has been waging a war of aggression against neighboring Ukraine since February 24, 2022. The West is supporting Kyiv’s defense with, among other things, extensive arms deliveries. After Trump took office on January 20, Ukraine fears a reduction in US aid.
