Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., reaffirmed the commitment of the U.S. and other nations to aiding Ukraine at the 24th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Ramstein, Germany. The UDCG is a coalition of some 50 nations that meet regularly to discuss Ukraine’s security needs, first meeting in April 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine. Austin welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as a special guest and emphasized the coalition’s support for Ukraine in repelling Russian aggression.
During the meeting, Austin expressed gratitude for the nations that compose the UDCG, which have provided over $106 billion in support to Ukraine in the past 2 1/2 years. He highlighted the various forms of assistance provided, including air defense, armor, artillery ammunition, and F-16 fighter jets. Austin also acknowledged the significant contributions made by UDCG countries, noting that some allies contribute more to Ukraine’s self-defense as a percentage of GDP than the United States.
Chairman Brown praised the UDCG’s unwavering support for Ukraine and the principles they are defending, such as the right to self-determination and the sanctity of national borders. Zelenskyy expressed his appreciation for the coalition’s continuous support, attributing Ukraine’s ability to resist Russia’s aggression to the bravery of the Ukrainian people and the assistance of the UDCG. Although progress has been made in supporting Ukraine, both Austin and Brown emphasized that there is still much work to be done to help Ukraine withstand Russia’s attacks and maintain its freedom and democracy.
In the post-meeting press conference, Austin and Brown reiterated the importance of standing up for their values and security, emphasizing that the members of the UDCG understand the stakes and will not back down. They acknowledged the courage of the Ukrainian people in the face of adversity and pledged to continue supporting Ukraine in its defense efforts. The UDCG remains committed to providing Ukraine with the necessary tools and assistance to ensure its security and sovereignty in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
