“During the upcoming 25th meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on January 9, they intend to determine the defense capabilities of Ukraine to support deterrence forces until 2027.”, — write: www.pravda.com.ua
During the upcoming 25th meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on January 9, they intend to determine the defense capabilities of Ukraine to support deterrence forces until 2027.
Source: Pentagon website
Details: The message states that US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will leave Washington for Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he will hold the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) on January 9.
Literally from the Pentagon announcement: “At this landmark meeting, Secretary Austin will meet with defense secretaries and senior military leaders from around the world to discuss Ukraine’s immediate battlefield needs, long-term defense needs, and critical coordination through coalition forces and assets.
The meeting will focus on the need to ensure the uninterrupted supply of key forces and assets, including air defense systems, artillery ammunition and armored vehicles, as well as efforts to strengthen the defense industrial base.”
Details: In addition, during the upcoming 25th UDCG meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, a group of coalition leaders will meet to define Ukraine’s defense capabilities to support the development of a credible deterrent through 2027, two senior US Defense Department officials said.
The Pentagon reminds that the UDCG, which Austin founded in response to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, is a coalition of about 50 countries that meet regularly to discuss Ukraine’s security needs.
Within the framework of the overall UDCG, there is a coalition leadership group consisting of eight coalitions of forces and assets. Each coalition represents one aspect of Ukraine’s military capabilities and is led by at least two separate NATO member states.
Direct speech Pentagon representative: “Leaders of these coalitions must approve road maps that define the needs and goals of Ukraine in the field of air force, armored vehicles, artillery, demining, drones, integrated air and missile defense, information technology and maritime security until 2027.
These roadmaps are intended to enable donors to plan and support Ukraine in the future.”
Details: Asked if there was concern about the future fate of the UDCG if US support for the group wanes after a new administration takes office on Jan. 20, officials stressed that the multi-stakeholder nature of the UDCG and its coalition building will help strengthen the group’s resilience going forward.
Direct speech the representative of the Pentagon: “We are sure that the multilateral approach established by Secretary Austin, as well as his dedication to joint work and respect for the capabilities of European countries, allowed us to do more together than we could do separately.”
“…a group of leaders will meet at ministerial level to lay a solid foundation for the future of these coalitions.”
“I cannot speak about the decision of the next administration (US President-elect Donald Trump – ed.) regarding its role in the UDCG, but I am confident in the commitment of the European partners and their capabilities and experience. And I am convinced that these coalitions will work.”
Details: Echoing the first official’s view, a second senior Pentagon official said that while the 25th UDCG will be Austin’s last, the Defense Department will not be winding down the group’s work, it will continue.
The US Department of Defense recalled that since the establishment of the UDCG in April 2022, the US, its allies and partners have allocated more than $126 billion in security assistance to Ukraine.
The 25th meeting of the UDCG is scheduled for Thursday, January 9.