The group consists of over 50 countries – including the United States and all NATO countries – which coordinate their military support for Ukraine and have been named after the American air base in Germany where the meetings are held.
On Friday afternoon, Zelenskyj will meet German Prime Minister Olaf Scholz, before the trip continues to Italy.
It was the first time Zelenskyj appeared physically in the forum.
Peace or Putin
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Zelenskyi has repeatedly asked his Western allies for more weapons and permission to use long-range weapons against targets deep inside Russia.
– We need more weapons to drive Russian forces out of our territory, Zelenskyy said on Friday. He added that he believes this will pressure Russia to make peace.
– We must make Russian cities and even Russian soldiers think about what they need: Peace or Putin, Zelenskyy said further according to AP.
Furthermore, he urged the supporters to follow up on previous promises.
– The number of air defense systems that have not been delivered is significant, Zelenskyj said. He also repeated the request to attack targets in Russia.
New laws
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is hosting the meeting, and he announced on Friday that the Americans will provide more than $250 million in additional military aid to Ukraine. The package will have content that can meet “Ukraine’s growing needs,” Austin said.
Anonymous officials told AFP that the package is expected to contain ammunition for the Himars missile system, artillery shells and weapons for use against tanks and aircraft.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has promised twelve self-propelled howitzers. According to Pistorius, the twelve howitzers will come straight from industry, and not from Germany’s military arsenal.
Russian progress
The meeting is taking place while Russian forces are advancing in the Donbas in eastern Ukraine, and while the Ukrainians are conducting an offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that seizing the areas in eastern Ukraine is his “main goal” in the conflict.
Putin went on to say that the surprise Ukrainian offensive in Kursk has not helped to hamper Russian forces in Donbas, which consists of the two Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Donetsk.
– The enemy weakened in important areas, our army has accelerated its offensive operations, Putin said.
Ukraine claimed on Friday to have retaken parts of the small town of Niu-York in the east of the country, the first victory in that part of the front for the Ukrainians in months.
– Thanks to the high morale, courage and professionalism of the brigade’s members, Azov managed to stabilize the situation and recapture parts of New York, writes the Azov brigade in social media.
Uncertain support
The USA has been Ukraine’s by far the biggest supporter, with contributions worth more than 56 billion dollars, almost NOK 600 billion.
But the future support is uncertain before the presidential election in November, where the more Russian-friendly Donald Trump could be victorious.
In addition, the German government, Ukraine’s second largest supporter, has been pressured domestically for military support. It has become central in a long-standing dispute over next year’s state budget.
France, another of the main contributors to the Ukrainians, has also been in political crisis for almost two months, before President Emmanuel Macron this week finally named a new prime minister.
#Zelenskyj #pleas #arms #aid #Ramstein #meeting
2024-09-07 21:23:04
Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group: A Coalition of Over 50 Countries Uniting in Support of Ukraine
In a significant display of international solidarity, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, comprising over 50 countries including the United States and all NATO member states, has been working together to coordinate military support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. The group, named after the American air base in Germany where the meetings are held, has been instrumental in providing critical military aid to Ukraine.
Zelensky’s Historic Visit to Ramstein Air Base
For the first time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky physically attended the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he emphasized the need for continued support from Ukraine’s allies [[1]][[2]]. The meeting was hosted by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who announced an additional $250 million in military aid to Ukraine [[3]].
Ukraine’s Plea for More Weapons and Pressure on Russia
President Zelensky has repeatedly appealed to Western allies for more weapons and permission to use long-range weapons against targets deep inside Russia. He believes that increased military support will pressure Russia to make peace. “We need more weapons to drive Russian forces out of our territory,” Zelensky said, emphasizing that Ukraine needs more air defense systems to counter Russian aggression [[3]].
New Military Aid Packages Announced
During the meeting, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced a new military aid package worth over $250 million, which will include ammunition for the Himars missile system, artillery shells, and weapons for use against tanks and aircraft. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also pledged to deliver 12 self-propelled howitzers directly from industry, rather than from Germany’s military arsenal.
Russian Advances in Donbas and Ukrainian Counter-Offensive in Kursk
The meeting took place amidst ongoing conflicts in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces are advancing in the Donbas region, and Ukrainian forces are conducting a counter-offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk. Russian President Vladimir Putin has stated that seizing areas in eastern Ukraine is his “main goal” in the conflict. Meanwhile, Ukraine has claimed to have retaken parts of the small town of Niu-York in the east of the country, marking a rare victory in the region.
Uncertain Support from Western Allies
Despite the significant contributions from the US, worth over $56 billion, there are concerns about the uncertainty of continued support from Western allies. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group’s efforts are crucial in ensuring Ukraine receives the military aid it needs to counter Russian aggression and maintain its sovereignty.
the Ukraine Defense Contact Group’s meeting at Ramstein Air Base was a significant milestone in the international community’s efforts to support Ukraine. As the conflict with Russia continues, it is essential that Ukraine’s allies remain committed to providing critical military aid and diplomatic support to help Ukraine achieve peace and stability.
US military aid to Ukraine
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group: A Global Effort to Support Ukraine’s Defense
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group is an alliance of 57 countries, including the United States and all NATO countries, that have come together to provide military support to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The group, named after the American air base in Germany where the meetings are held, aims to coordinate international procurement, production, and sustainment efforts to accelerate capability deliveries to Ukraine [1].
Ukraine’s Plea for More Weapons and Support
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been vocal in his request for more weapons and support from Western allies to drive Russian forces out of Ukrainian territory. In a recent meeting, Zelensky emphasized the need for more weapons, saying, “We need more weapons to drive Russian forces out of our territory. This will pressure Russia to make peace” <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UkraineDefenseContactGroup”>[2]. He also urged supporters to follow up on previous promises, highlighting the significant number of air defense systems that have not been delivered.
New Laws and Aid Packages
In response to Ukraine’s plea, several countries have announced new aid packages and laws to support Ukraine’s defense. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced an additional $250 million in military aid to Ukraine, which will include ammunition for the Himars missile system, artillery shells, and weapons for use against tanks and aircraft. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius also promised 12 self-propelled howitzers, which will come straight from industry and not from Germany’s military arsenal.
Russian Progress and Ukraine’s Counteroffensive
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting took place amid Russian forces’ advances in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that seizing areas in eastern Ukraine is his “main goal” in the conflict. However, Ukraine has claimed to have retaken parts of the small town of Niu-York in the east of the country, marking a significant victory in the region.
Uncertain Support and Future of the Conflict
Despite the support from Western allies, Ukraine remains uncertain about the future of the conflict. Zelensky has repeatedly asked for more weapons and permission to use long-range weapons against targets deep inside Russia. The outcome of the conflict remains uncertain, with both sides dug in and determined to achieve their goals.
Conclusion
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group represents a significant effort by the international community to support Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression. As the conflict continues, it remains to be seen whether the group’s efforts will be enough to tip the scales in Ukraine’s favor. One thing is certain, however: the world is watching, and the fate of Ukraine hangs in the balance.
References
[1] US Department of Defense. (n.d.). Fact Sheet on Efforts of Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Retrieved from
[2] Wikipedia. (n.d.). Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Retrieved from <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UkraineDefenseContactGroup>
[3] NATO US Mission. (n.d.). Ukraine Defense Contact Group – 23rd meeting. Retrieved from
