Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte summarized the results of the Ramstein meeting and coordinated further work. They discussed a new initiative to purchase American weapons, including Patriot systems, for Ukraine.
At the 29th meeting in the "Ramstein" format, partners announced key decisions regarding strengthening Ukraine's defense capabilities. The USA is initiating a new mechanism jointly with NATO for European countries to purchase American weapons, and the Netherlands is allocating 125 million euros for the maintenance of F-16 aircraft.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized the importance of including Ukraine in the SAFE loan program for financing in 2026. The "Building with Ukraine" initiative is also being developed to expand joint defense-industrial projects.
People's deputies submitted amendments to the draft laws on the creation of Defence City so that aircraft manufacturing enterprises receive the same preferences as other participants in the defense-industrial complex. This will allow preserving human potential and developing Ukraine's aviation capabilities.
Denys Shmyhal stated that Ukraine needs $6 billion to close the gap in defense procurement this year. These funds will allow for increased drone production, strengthened air defense, and strikes against Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot defense assistance to Ukraine, particularly strengthening air defense. The parties also discussed joint defense production, including the manufacturing of drones in Ukraine.
In Ukraine, up to 30,000 people are mobilized monthly according to the plans of the General Staff and the Command of the Armed Forces. MP Fedir Venislavsky noted that recruitment is significantly increasing, exceeding 10% of the total number of citizens entering military service.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed to conduct an audit of all defense agreements with partners. He expects a report from NSDC Secretary Rustem Umerov and Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal within 10 days.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed to contract all effective interceptor drones this week and to increase the frequency and range of drone use against Russian targets. He also set the task of bringing the share of Ukrainian weapons in the Defense Forces to 50% within six months.
Taras Melnychuk has been reappointed as the permanent representative of the Cabinet of Ministers in the Verkhovna Rada. Kostiantyn Maryevich, the State Secretary of the Cabinet of Ministers, and his first deputy, Oleksandr Yarema, have also been reappointed.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine liquidated the Ministry of Strategic Industries, transferring its functions to the Ministry of Defense. The Ministry of Defense is now the successor to the property, rights, and obligations of the liquidated ministry.
The Cabinet of Ministers liquidated the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources. Their functions have been transferred to the newly created Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine renamed the Ministry of Social Policy to the Ministry of Social Policy, Family and Unity of Ukraine, merging the Ministry of National Unity into it. The Ministry of Social Policy also received the budget allocations of the Ministry of National Unity for 2025, including funds for the reintegration of occupied territories and support for Ukrainians abroad.
On July 20, Russian troops lost 1170 soldiers and 54 artillery systems. The total combat losses of the enemy from 24.02.22 to 21.07.25 amount to over a million liquidated personnel.
Yulia Svyrydenko announced the preparation of a one-year moratorium on business inspections, which is one of the government's key priorities. This decision, agreed with the President, aims to provide more freedom for economic forces and ensure equal conditions for "white" businesses.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved the new personal composition of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine. The changes occurred after personnel reshuffles in the government.
The Minister of Defense of Ukraine confirmed that most of the 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks provided by Australia are already in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The remaining equipment will arrive in the coming months.
Denys Shmyhal and Mykhailo Fedorov discussed the scaling of anti-Shahed solutions and the deregulation of drone transfer and write-off. This task, set by the President, is aimed at accelerating the military's access to necessary technologies.
Denys Shmyhal held the first meeting with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrskyi and the Chief of the General Staff Andriy Hnatov. The situation at the front, defense self-sufficiency, and new arms supplies for the Armed Forces of Ukraine were discussed.
The 29th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the "Ramstein" format will be held online on Monday, July 21. Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal will hold talks with G7 defense ministers.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal is preparing a specific work program for the Ministry and key priorities. These will be implemented in the short and medium term.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy heard a report from Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal and instructed to urgently conclude contracts for drones, including interceptors. They also discussed ensuring diplomatic strikes and the frequency of strikes.
Newly appointed Minister of Defense Denys Shmyhal held his first meeting, outlining key tasks. Among them are increasing Ukrainian production, providing quality support to soldiers, and strengthening interaction with international partners.
In the updated government led by Yulia Svyrydenko, most ministers retained their positions, some swapped chairs. Denys Shmyhal headed the Ministry of Defense, Herman Halushchenko — the Ministry of Justice, and Svitlana Hrynchuk — the Ministry of Energy.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the continuation of government reshuffling. After today's changes, a security sector update is expected on Friday, and a renewal of the Ukrainian diplomatic corps on Monday.
The Verkhovna Rada appointed Denys Shmyhal as the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. This happened after his resignation from the post of Prime Minister, which automatically led to the resignation of the entire Cabinet of Ministers.
Denys Shmyhal stated that mobilization in Ukraine is proceeding according to plan, with many people joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He emphasized the importance of quality management and provision for the military.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine reappointed Andriy Sybiha as Minister of Foreign Affairs. This decision was supported by people's deputies at the proposal of the President of Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada supported the updated composition of the Cabinet of Ministers, proposed by Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. New ministers have been appointed, including Oleksiy Kuleba, Taras Kachka, and others.
Tomorrow, July 18, it will be known what position ex-Minister of Defense Rustem Umierov will take. Earlier, he was considered for the position of Ukraine's ambassador to the USA, but later information appeared about a possible appointment to the National Security and Defense Council.
