The so-called “Ukraine Contact Group” is “more united and global than ever,” US Defense Secretary Austin said at what is now the 11th meeting in Ramstein. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also wants to talk about jet fighters.
At the start of the Ukraine Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted continued strong international support for Kiev. “Our support for the freedom forces in Ukraine remains strong and true,” Austin said Friday at the Ramstein-style defense ministers’ meeting. The contact group is “more united and global than ever before,” Austin said.
At what is now the group’s eleventh meeting in Ramstein, participating countries want to coordinate more military aid to Ukraine. It is also a question of whether past arms deliveries are sufficient for Kiev’s planned spring offensive. The first meeting in the Ramstein format took place almost a year ago. Since then, Ukraine has received 55 billion US dollars (50.3 billion euros). The bulk, about $35 billion, comes from the United States, said Austin, who, as at previous meetings, is chairing the debate.
Fighters for Ukraine?
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has spoken out in favor of continuing negotiations on the delivery of Western fighter jets to Ukraine. Deliveries by alliance partners are to be discussed further, he said on the sidelines of the meeting. In his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday, he said Ukraine needed more weapons, Stoltenberg said. Among them were jets and air defense systems.
Until now, Ukraine has only received Soviet-designed Mig-29 fighter jets from the West. However, the country’s military wants Western-style aircraft for defensive combat against Russia. It could be a US-built F-16, for example.
First win, then talk about EU membership
Stoltenberg made it clear in Ramstein that he considers the discussion of new arms deliveries much more important in the current situation than plans for Ukraine to join NATO. “Now the main thing is that Ukraine wins,” Stoltenberg said, referring to Russia’s war of aggression. “Because if Ukraine does not assert itself as a sovereign and independent nation in Europe, then there is no point in discussing accession.”
“New systems” to support Ukrainian fighters are to be discussed. At the same time, however, it is necessary to ensure that the weapons already delivered continue to function. Stoltenberg pointed out that the logistics needed to keep main battle tanks ready for action are often underestimated. “This is now a war of attrition and a war of attrition becomes a war of logistics,” he said.
Zelensky attends NATO summit
On the outlook for the course of the war, Stoltenberg said: “Wars are naturally unpredictable. Nobody can say today when this war will end.” That’s why you must be prepared for a long-term commitment. Even if the war ends, Ukraine will still need support to ensure it is militarily strong enough not to be attacked again.
Stoltenberg also announced in Ramstein that Zelensky had accepted his invitation to the NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius on 11 and 12 July. However, it was not clear whether Zelenskij would actually arrive or just participate in the consultations via videoconference. For security reasons, the Ukrainian president’s trips are not announced.
(APA/AFP/dpa)