Zelenskyy stated that the US transferred 20,000 missiles that Ukraine was expecting to fight "Shaheds" to the Middle East. He emphasized the prospect of increased losses in the Ukrainian army without US assistance.
April 27 marked the third anniversary of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine "Ramstein". Since its creation, the format has become a platform for providing Ukraine with military assistance worth billions of dollars.
Pete Hegseth will join the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on April 11 via teleconference. The meeting will take place in Brussels under the leadership of Great Britain and Germany.
The Trump administration has approved a US defense budget of about $1 trillion. The Secretary of Defense noted that this is the largest budget for the military.
The US will not participate in the meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine. This raises concerns about a change in the US approach to military support for Kyiv.
Five former U. S. defense secretaries have called on Congress to investigate Trump's massive firings of military leaders. Among those fired are the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other high-ranking military officials.
U. S. Defense Secretary Pete Hagel said that Putin intends to declare victory in the war against Ukraine, regardless of the outcome. The bravery of Ukrainians and the support of allies prevented Putin from achieving his goals.
The US Secretary of Defense said that Ukraine's borders will remain a subject of discussion, and a return to the 2014 borders is unlikely. He also does not guarantee the long-term presence of US troops in Europe due to global challenges.
During the Ramstein meeting, Pete Hagseth stated that it was unrealistic to return Ukraine to the 2014 borders. According to him, such a goal would only prolong the war.
The regular meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine has begun in Brussels. The meeting was chaired for the first time by the UK Defense Minister John Healey, and the new head of the Pentagon, Pete Hageseth, is also present.
Pete Hughes arrives at NATO headquarters in Brussels and speaks of the need to strengthen the Alliance. The US Secretary of Defense will participate in the Ramstein meeting, which is being convened by the UK for the first time.
A new version of the basic general military training program is being implemented in the Armed Forces training centers. The program includes psychological training, “Kropyva”, an expanded medical course, and new shooting exercises.
Pete Hagesse will visit Europe on February 10-17 and participate in the Ramstein meeting. At the meeting, he will reaffirm the US desire for a diplomatic end to the war in Ukraine.
The next meeting in the Ramstein format will take place on February 12 under the leadership of the United Kingdom instead of the United States. This will be the first meeting after Lloyd Austin held his last meeting on January 9.
Janet Yellen announced the launch of special measures to avoid breaching the US debt ceiling. The Ministry of Finance will suspend investments in pension funds and the health insurance fund for civil servants.
The German Defense Minister announced that the next Ramstein meeting will be held in Brussels before the Munich conference. The future of the format will depend on the new US administration.
The US Secretary of State announced that the strongest positions in foreign policy will be handed over to the future Trump administration. The United States has already provided $102 billion in aid to Ukraine, and its allies have provided $158 billion in aid.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin recommends increasing military spending by more than $50 billion in fiscal year 2026. The plan envisages an increase in the Pentagon's budget to more than $1 trillion by 2028.
Andriy Kovalenko predicts that Russia will be divided into national entities with a central Muscovy. According to him, this is the only chance for survival for Russians, as the imperial model no longer works.
Ukraine's Defense Minister Umerov announced that the next Ramstein will be held in February. The format of the meeting may change due to the change in the US administration, but several European countries are ready to co-chair.
U. S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, but declined to comment on its future after the change of administration. At the last Ramstein meeting, the US announced a $500 million aid package.
The President of Ukraine met with the U. S. Secretary of Defense in the framework of Ramstein. They discussed strengthening air defense, the role of drones in the war, and a new $500 million aid package.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak announced the preparation of a new package of military assistance for Ukraine. The "Ramstein" meeting also approved 8 roadmaps for the Ukrainian Armed Forces until 2027.
The Pentagon announced a new package of military aid to Ukraine. According to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, the amount of support will be $500 million.
Lloyd Austin said that achieving Russia's goals in Ukraine will lead to significant losses for it in the future. To maintain the occupied territories, Russia will have to spend huge resources and engage significant ground forces.
Ukraine's Defense Minister discusses with the Pentagon chief a roadmap for military assistance for the coming years. Eight areas of cooperation will be approved at the Ramstein meeting, and Zelenskyy is expected to attend.
The United States and its allies have provided more than $126 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion. The Ramstein meeting will discuss Ukraine's urgent arms needs.
U. S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrives in Germany for a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The latest $500 million military aid package from the Biden administration is expected to be announced.
The Biden administration plans to announce the final package of military aid to Ukraine worth about $500 million. By the end of Biden's term, Ukraine will have received 80-90% of the promised equipment.
Poland's defense minister suggests that tomorrow's Ramstein meeting may be the last in the current format. Next week, the G5 will meet to discuss changes after Trump's inauguration.
