The 29th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group – better known as the Ramstein format – concluded Monday with a new round of military pledges aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s defense capability and building long-term resilience.
In his first appearance at the forum as Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Denys Shmyhal welcomed a series of commitments from key partner nations and advocated for continued coordination on weapons production and delivery.
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“During the Ramstein-format meeting, we received an important signal: the free world stands with Ukraine and peace,” Shmyhal said in a statement. “Together with our partners, we focused on strengthening the defense potential of the Ukrainian army.”
The United States announced the launch of a new mechanism – developed in cooperation with NATO – that will allow European countries to procure American weapons for Ukraine.
“European partners have already expressed readiness to join the financing,” Shmyhal said, adding that the mechanism’s implementation was discussed in detail.
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Germany confirmed its role in a US-led initiative to provide Ukraine with five Patriot air defense systems, which are expected to arrive in the near future.
Berlin also pledged more than 200,000 rounds of ammunition for Ukraine’s Gepard air-defense platforms and additional funding for Ukrainian-made long-range drones.
Other countries also unveiled fresh commitments to support Kyiv:
- Canada will contribute approximately $14.6 million to maintain Ukrainian tanks under the so-called “Danish model” of defense industrial support.
- The Netherlands pledged $218 million for interceptor drones and $136 million for maintenance and logistics tied to Ukraine’s future F-16 fleet.
- Norway announced a $1.09 billion drone procurement program for 2025, of which $436 million will purchase drones made in Ukraine.
- Sweden is preparing a new aid package that includes air defense equipment, artillery, and additional military hardware.
“I sincerely thank every country supporting Ukraine in the Ramstein format,” Shmyhal said. “Special thanks to the United States – the initiator of this platform in April 2022 – as well as to the United Kingdom and Germany for their leadership in the Contact Group.”
At the previous Ramstein meeting in June, Ukraine and its partners announced a new push for joint arms production, with several nations offering to license the manufacture of missiles, drones, armored vehicles, and other materiel either in Ukraine or abroad.
The Ramstein format, created by the US Department of Defense in April 2022, remains the main coordination platform for international military assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. More than 50 countries regularly participate in the meetings.
“We continue working with partners, strengthening our army, and moving closer to a just and lasting peace,” Shmyhal said.
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