Ramstein Meeting Establishes Coalition for Air Defence Development Formed Led by Germany and France
Today, during the 17th meeting of the Defence Coordination Group for Ukraine in the 'Ramstein' format, the creation of a coalition for the development of Ukrainian air defence was announced. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky shared this news in an evening address.
"The coalition created is named the Air Defence Development Coalition, with Germany and France taking the lead in its organization. I appreciate their leadership," he said. Zelensky added that other countries have also joined the coalition, thanking them for protecting Ukrainian cities from Russian attacks.
"Thanks to every country participating in these efforts, which allow our cities and villages to be more protected from Russian strikes. Not everything can be publicly disclosed, but the Ukrainian air shield is becoming stronger every month. I expect a report from Minister Umerov on the results of this Ramstein," said the President of Ukraine.
Following the Ramstein meeting, new packages of military aid for Ukraine were announced, including shells, missiles, electronic warfare equipment, drones, and new capabilities for air defence.
Recall that today marked the 17th meeting of the Defence Coordination Group for Ukraine in the Ramstein format, conducted online this time. Approximately 50 countries participated, with the session opened by U.S. Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin.
He stated that both Ukraine and Israel face relentless enemies targeting their destruction, and emphasized that the United States is fully capable of continuing strong support for Ukraine simultaneously with assistance to Israel.
The head of the Pentagon noted that a few days before his visit to Kyiv, Putin's forces initiated a new stage of missile strikes on Kyiv and other regions of Ukraine, attacking the Ukrainian energy system.
"So, as Ukraine faces another winter of war, I urge this group to provide Ukraine with air defence means to protect its people," addressed Austin to the meeting participants.
A few days ago, with an unannounced visit, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin visited Ukraine. After this visit, President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine would soon receive a new package of military assistance from the United States.