Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, summarised the results of the latest meeting held in the ‘Ramstein’ format. He emphasised the significance of a new coalition for air defence, which includes 20 countries and is led by Germany and France. “Securing additional air defence for Ukrainian cities is our priority this winter”, said Umerov. Over 50 countries participated in the seventeenth Ramstein meeting. For the first time, it was also attended by Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Valeriy Zaluzhny.
Umerov noted that while many countries have announced their military aid packages, the “most powerful ones” have not been disclosed.
It’s worth noting that this is the second consecutive assistance package received from Germany in the past couple of days. According to the minister, on 22 November, Berlin announced it would transfer weapons worth 1,4 billion euros to Ukraine. This package includes IRIS-T missile systems, 8 thousand new anti-tank mines, a Patriot system set, and additional 155-millimeter artillery ammunition. Furthermore, Berlin has promised to deliver 140 thousand 155mm shells to Kyiv by 2024, and they will also double military assistance to 8 billion euros.
Other important arrangements include:
- The Netherlands said they have allocated 2 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine.
- Estonia, the leader of the IT coalition, will be providing half a million dollars for the IT coalition’s activities. Additionally, Luxembourg has committed to provide 10 million euros for the coalition.
- The United Kingdom and Norway, as part of the Maritime Coalition, said they would explore ways to enhance security in the Black Sea further.
Umerov said that Ukraine and Brussels continue working on the Roadmap for Interoperability. Speaking with Lloyd Austin, the United States Secretary of Defense, Umerov emphasised the need for Ukraine to continue moving towards NATO.
Earlier, it was announced that Lithuania promised it would provide three million 7.62x51mm calibre bullets, remote detonation systems, and winter gear to Ukraine. Bulgaria said it would contribute 100 Soviet-style armoured personnel carriers (the so-called BTRs), which would be the first time Bulgaria would provide military aid to Kyiv directly without involving intermediaries.
Finland offered a military aid package worth 100 million euros, including military equipment; however, no further details of the package were disclosed. “What is at stake in Ukraine’s defensive struggle is the security outlook for Europe and Finland over the next decade”, said Finnish Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen.
Ukraine is also set to receive 1,3 billion Canadian dollars (over 947 million US dollars) in military assistance from Canada.
