Ramstein 20: Germany announces new aid for Ukraine
On 19 March, the 20th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defence was organised at Ramstein Air Force Base in Ramstein—Miesenbach, Germany.
This was reported by the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian delegation is headed by the Minister of Defence of Ukraine Rustem Umierov. Ukrainian officials noted that Ukraine's priorities at this meeting are the provision of air defence systems and missiles for them, as well as long-range missiles.
Artillery shells, especially 155 mm calibre, modern electronic warfare and electronic reconnaissance systems, and armoured vehicles also remain a constant point of discussion.
Before the meeting, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced a new military aid package for Kyiv, Radio Liberty reports.
“There is progress in the area of ammunition. On the one hand, it is thanks to the Czech initiative, but we will also be able to announce another package here today. So, the matter is moving forward sometimes in small, sometimes in bigger steps, but the main thing is the constant supply of ammunition,” Pistorius said.
According to Tagesschau, Pistorius promised new aid to Ukraine worth 500 million euros. In addition, Germany will continue to supply ammunition. It is planned to transfer 10,000 artillery shells from the Bundeswehr warehouses. The new aid package will also include 100 armoured vehicles for infantry and 100 vehicles for transport.
At the same time, when asked about the progress of the long-range Taurus missiles, the minister said that there was “no news” about it.
Other assistance
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur, in turn, stressed that his country has “various options for sending more ammunition to Ukraine”.
In his opening remarks at the beginning of the meeting, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin promised that the United States and the coalition would not allow Ukraine to fail in the war against Russian aggression. He reminded that only last week the US announced an additional $300 million in assistance to support Ukraine's urgent needs for air defence, artillery and anti-tank capabilities.
The minister also stressed that all investments in Ukraine's fight against Russian aggression are “investments in common security”.
“The battle for Ukraine remains one of the most important affairs of our time. The Ukrainian people have no right to waste a single day. And neither do we,” Austin said.
He appealed to everyone and urged them “not to deceive yourself”, thinking that Putin would stop, but to support Ukraine and provide it with the weapons it needs to defend itself.
The Ramstein contact group includes approximately 50 countries that provide military assistance to Ukraine. Traditionally, meetings of this group have been held at the US Ramstein Air Base.