Partners at the Ramstein meeting to consider supplying Ukraine with air defence systems, artillery and ammunition
They will also focus on the issue of training Ukrainian pilots to use fighters
At the meeting of the Ramstein contact group, participating countries will discuss providing Ukraine with air defence systems, anti-tank systems, and ammunition, as well as short and long-range artillery.
This was stated by Lloyd Austin, US Secretary of Defence.
"These systems are needed as Ukrainian troops plan to advance through well-defended russian positions, which are sown with items such as mines and anti-tank traps. Important for Ukraine's combat readiness are spare parts and instructions for technical maintenance and repair on site," the official said.
In addition, meetings at Ramstein will focus on the issue of training Ukrainian pilots to use modern Western-style fighters.
To date, the US has allocated about $40 billion for defence assistance to Ukraine, and allies and partners have allocated $27 billion, Austin pointed out. According to him, 53 allies and partners are providing defence assistance to Ukraine.
As the Pentagon chief reported, most of the counter-drone systems, 155-mm artillery shells, tanks, and armoured personnel carriers are provided not by the US, but by allies and partners. Moreover, allies have trained three times more Ukrainian soldiers than the US.
Background. Zelensky has already received understanding from some European partners about the number of F-16 fighters they are ready to provide to Ukraine. According to the President, it was a serious, powerful offer.
The President advocates for the fighter coalition to be formalised in a separate agreement. This could happen at the next meeting of the group on Ukraine's defence issues in the Ramstein format or on another platform.
"Then the preparation of the entire infrastructure will begin. It's not fast. There is an understanding of what to do. The Commander (of the Armed Forces of Ukraine – ed.) Mykola Oleshchuk understands where to do, what to do, in what quantity," said Zelensky.
If you have read this article to the end, we hope that means it was useful for you.
We work to ensure that our journalistic and analytical work is of high quality, and we strive to perform it as competently as possible. This also requires financial independence. Support us for only UAH 196 per month.
Become a Mind subscriber for just USD 5 per month and support the development of independent business journalism!
You can unsubscribe at any time in your LIQPAY account or by sending us an email: [email protected]
