Shmyhal Outlines Critical Defense Priorities for Ukraine at 30th Ramstein Meeting

At the 30th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, held on September 9 in London, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal laid out a set of initiatives he described as critical for ensuring Ukraine’s security and Europe’s stability.

The Gaze reports this, referring to a statement made by Shmyhal.

Representatives of around 50 countries took part in the gathering, which has served as the main forum for coordinating military support for Kyiv since 2022.

Shmyhal expressed gratitude to Ukraine’s partners for three years of sustained support in the face of Russia’s full-scale war, but stressed that Moscow’s continuing escalation demands an even stronger response. “Russia continues to escalate. Our answer must be rooted in strength,” he said.

Among the top priorities he listed was the PURL initiative, which would establish a clear and predictable schedule for financing and weapons deliveries to Ukraine. 

He also underscored the need for $6 billion in investment for drone production, including interceptors to protect civilian infrastructure, FPV drones to reinforce the front line, and strike drones to disrupt Russian military industry and targets.

Shmyhal further called on partner nations to earmark $60 billion in their 2026 budgets for Ukraine’s defense and Europe’s collective security. 

He appealed for ten additional Patriot air defense systems and more missiles for Patriot, SAMP/T, NASAMS, IRIS-T, and HAWK batteries, noting the urgency as Russia prepares renewed strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid and infrastructure.

The minister welcomed Germany’s recent purchase of two Patriot PAC-3 systems for Ukraine and urged others to follow suit. 

Beyond military aid, he emphasized the need to tighten sanctions and move forward with the confiscation of frozen Russian assets to weaken Moscow’s war machine.

“Only together can we win. And only together can we ensure peace in Europe. We are grateful to all who stand with Ukraine,” Shmyhal concluded.

Later, Shmyhal provided a detailed summary of the agreements reached at the 30th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group:

• European Union – 80% of the promised 2 million shells already secured; €6.6 billion from the Peace Facility planned for U.S. weapons; additional €4 billion in October and €4 billion in November; new defense-industrial investments via SAFE.

• Germany – two Patriot systems; €500 million for NATO’s PURL initiative; €300 million for Ukrainian long-range drones.

• United Kingdom – funding for several thousand long-range strike drones to be produced domestically and delivered within 12 months.

• Norway – $8 billion in 2026; interceptor drones; weapons for a brigade equipped with Scandinavian and Baltic allies; launch of a joint training center.

• Denmark – joint venture with Ukraine to produce long-range weapons.

• Canada – $500 million for PURL; $220 million for drones and other military aid; $165 million for coalition capabilities.

• Sweden – finalizing its 20th aid package.

• Lithuania – €30 million for PURL and another €30 million to co-finance Patriot systems supplied by Germany.

• Czechia – more than 1 million shells in 2025; 80+ vehicles; €61 million package; training of F-16 instructor pilots.

• Belgium – €100 million for PURL and a new aid package.

• Luxembourg – joining the PURL mechanism.

• Netherlands – €1.2 billion by year-end; €450 million for JUMPSTART to sustain F-16 operations; investments in deep-strike projects.

• Poland – a new aid package coming soon and 10,000 shells within the next week.

• Spain – ammunition for IRIS-T air defense systems.

• Latvia – €2.5 million aid package; €5 million for PURL; delivery of Patria APCs.

• France – Mirage aircraft and faster implementation of joint industrial projects on drones and ammunition.

Shmyhal thanked the United States for launching the Ramstein format, praised UK Defense Secretary John Healey and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius for their leadership, and underlined NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s role in initiating the PURL program. 

He concluded that the solidarity of the free world and systematic support for Ukraine’s Defense Forces remain the cornerstone of a lasting and just peace.

As The Gaze previously reported, the European Union plans to provide Ukraine with 100% of the intended 2 million rounds of ammunition by October, having already achieved 80% of this goal.