Today, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will travel to Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where on January 9 he will hold the milestone 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. In a statement on the Pentagon's website, this meeting is referred to as "significant".
According to the announcement, Austin will meet with defense ministers and military officials to discuss Ukraine's immediate battlefield needs, long-term defense requirements, and coordination of assistance to our country.
"The meeting will focus on the necessity of ensuring a continuous supply of key capabilities, including air defense systems, artillery ammunition, and armored vehicles, as well as efforts to strengthen the defense industrial base," the statement said.
As noted by one Pentagon official, the meeting will outline a plan for Ukraine's defense capabilities through 2027.
"Coalition leaders will need to approve roadmaps detailing Ukraine's needs and goals in the areas of air force, armored vehicles, artillery, demining, drones, integrated air and missile defense, information technology, and maritime security through 2027. These roadmaps are designed to help donors plan and support Ukraine in the future," the official explained.
In response to a question regarding the future of "Ramstein" if American support for the group declines under a Trump administration, the official expressed confidence that the "multilateral nature" of the group will ensure its future sustainability.
"I cannot speak to what decision the new administration will make regarding its role... I am confident that these capability coalitions will continue their work in one form or another," the official added.
Another official noted that although the 25th meeting of "Ramstein" will be the last for Austin, the U.S. Department of Defense is not "shutting down" the group, and work will continue.
"Thanks to multilateral efforts, capability coalitions, and everything we've done, ('Ramstein') will persist in some form in the future, I believe, regardless of how the next team will or will not continue it," said the official.
Ramstein Meeting - What Ukraine Will Gain
Earlier, AP reported that at the "Ramstein" meeting, the Biden administration intends to announce a significant final aid package for Ukraine.
Officials did not specify the exact amount of the new package. It is known that it will be "substantial" and will be drawn from existing stocks with the aim of delivering most of the promised weapons to Ukraine before Trump’s inauguration. At the same time, it is noted that this does not refer to the full $4 billion remaining under the funding approved by the U.S. Congress for Ukraine.