2022 Ramstein Air Base meeting
The Ramstein Air Base meeting was an international conference organized by the
.The meeting was part of the Ukraine Defense Consultative Group, also known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group,[1][2] which has held 14 meetings, the most recent on 18 July 2023.
Participants and attendees
Over 40 nations were represented at the meeting, including both NATO and non-NATO members.[1] All countries part of NATO and/or the European Union participated.[3] Representatives from some nations, among them Israel and Qatar, participated at the meeting but did not appear on the official list of attendees.[1] According to the
The conference was organized with less than a week's notice.
Dignitaries in attendance
- Ukraine – Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov; Lt. Gen. Yevhen Moisiuk
NATO member states
- NATO – Assistant Secretary General for Operations Thomas Goffus
- Albania – Defence Minister Niko Peleshi
- Belgium – Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder
- Bulgaria – Defence Minister Stefan Yanev
- Canada – National Defence Minister Anita Anand
- Croatia – Defence Minister Mario Banožić
- Czech Republic – Defence Minister Jana Černochová
- Denmark – Defence Minister Morten Bødskov
- Estonia – Defence Minister Kalle Laanet
- Finland – Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen
- France – Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu
- Germany – Federal Minister of Defence Christine Lambrecht
- Greece – Minister for National Defence Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos
- Tibor Benkő
- Iceland – Minister for Foreign Affairs Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir
- Minister of Defence Lorenzo Guerini; ADM Giuseppe Cavo Dragone
- Latvia – Defence Minister Artis Pabriks
- Lithuania – Minister for National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas
- Defence Minister François Bausch
- Montenegro – Defence Minister Raško Konjević
- Netherlands – Defence Minister Kajsa Ollongren
- North Macedonia – Defence Minister Slavjanka Petrovska
- Norway – Defence Minister Bjørn Arild Gram
- Poland – Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak
- Portugal – Minister of National Defence Helena Carreiras
- Romania – Minister of National Defence Vasile Dîncu
- Slovakia – Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď
- Slovenia – Defence Minister Matej Tonin
- Spain – Defence Minister Margarita Robles
- Turkey – Minister of National Defence Hulusi Akar
- United Kingdom – Defence Minister Ben Wallace; Timothy Fraser
- Celeste Wallander
Asia-Pacific partners
- Australia – Defence Minister Richard Marles
- Japan – Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi
- New Zealand – Defence Minister Peeni Henare
- Minister of National Defence Suh Wook
Middle Eastern partners
- Israel – Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Dror Shalom[9]
- Bisher Al-Khasawneh
- Qatar – Minister of Defense Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah
African partners
- Kenya – Lt. Gen Jonah Mwangi
- Liberia – Minister of National Defense Daniel Dee Ziankahn
- Morocco – Delegate-Ministry for the Administration of National Defense Abdellatif Loudiyi
- Tunisia – Defence Minister Farhat Horchani
Meeting
At the meeting, Ukraine is said to have outlined its defense needs.[3] Several nations announced new shipments of heavy weapons to Ukraine at Ramstein, including Germany and Canada.[6][10]
Against a backdrop of domestic and international pressure, the
Aftermath and reactions
According to Secretary of Defense Austin, the conference is to be transformed into a monthly "contact group" on Ukraine's self-defense.[8] Part of its focus is to organize co-operation in the fields of industry, to deal "with the tremendous demand that we’re facing for munitions and weapons platforms".[6] It is to be open to any country willing to contribute to Ukrainian defense capabilities, and it is expected by the U.S. that more nations will join the upcoming meetings virtually.[6]
After the meeting, the
Marcel Dirsus, a nonresident fellow at the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University, called the German statements at Ramstein a "strong signal" from Germany, after a recent string of contradictory statements and perceived reluctance.[12]
The former Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, Volodymyr Yelchenko, has stated that the meeting may have marked the official founding of an "Anti-Putin Coalition".[16] Ukrainian political scientist and Vice-Rector of the Ukrainian Catholic University, Dmytro Sherenhovskyy, stated that the meeting marked significant changes in international security architecture.[15]
According to Euromaidan Press, "in some sense the Ramstein meeting demonstrates a gradual increase in the national leaders’ readiness to take responsibility in global leadership", also stating that "the meeting at the US Air Force base Ramstein has already been called historic for Ukraine."[15]
Subsequent meetings
The last meeting took place on 19 March 2024 in Ramstein Air Base.
Date | Location | Note | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | 26 April 2022 | Ramstein Air Base | [17] |
2 | 23 May 2022 | Virtual | [18] |
3 | 15 June 2022 | NATO headquarters | [19] |
4 | 20 July 2022 | Virtual | [20] |
5 | 8 September 2022 | Ramstein Air Base | [21] |
6 | 12 October 2022 | NATO headquarters | [22] |
7 | 16 November 2022 | Virtual | [23] |
8 | 20 January 2023 | Ramstein Air Base | [24][25] |
9 | 14 February 2023 | NATO headquarters | [26] |
10 | 15 March 2023 | Virtual | [27] |
11 | 21 April 2023 | Ramstein Air Base | [28][29] |
12 | 25 May 2023 | Virtual | [30] |
13 | 15 June 2023 | NATO headquarters | [31] |
14 | 18 July 2023 | Virtual | [32] |
15 | 19 September 2023 | Ramstein Air Base | [33] |
16 | 11 October 2023 | NATO headquarters | [34] |
17 | 22 November 2023 | Virtual | [35] |
18 | 23 January 2024 | Virtual | [36] |
19 | 14 February 2024 | NATO headquarters | [37] |
20 | 19 March 2024 | Ramstein Air Base | [38] |
21 | 19 April 2024 | NATO headquarters | [39] |
See also
References
- ^ Washington Post. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d Herszenhorn, David M.; Bayer, Lili (26 April 2022). "US rallies global allies to help Ukraine repel Russia". Politico. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Brzozowski, Alexandra (27 April 2022). "Ramstein meeting gives birth to global 'contact group' to support Ukraine". Euractiv. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d Stewart, Phil (26 April 2022). "At defence talks in Germany, U.S. says world galvanized against Russia's invasion". Reuters. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ Okafor, Chiamaka (27 April 2022). "Four African countries invited to U.S-led Ukraine defence summit". Premium Times. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d Machi, Vivienne (26 April 2022). "US, allies to meet monthly on Ukraine defense needs". defensenews.com. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ Tirpak, John A. (22 April 2022). "Long-Term Ukraine Aid to Be Discussed at Ramstein Meeting". airforcemag.com. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f "US plans regular Ramstein Air Base meetings on Ukraine". Deutsche Welle. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ Ahronheim, Anna (26 April 2022). "Israel taking part in US-led Ukraine defense summit". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- U.S. Department of Defense. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ "U.S. unsure about cause of Transdniestria violence- Pentagon chief". Reuters. 26 April 2022.
- ^ a b Morris, Loveday (26 April 2022). "After hesitancy, Germany greenlights some heavy arms for Ukraine". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ DeYoung, Karen; Lamothe, Dan; Hudson, John; Cadell, Cate (26 April 2022). "U.S., allies promise to keep backing Ukraine in its war with Russia". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ "Oleksii Reznikov, Twitter". Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ a b c Hrudka, Orysia (29 April 2022). "Breakthrough at Ramstein: NATO unites to help Ukraine defeat Russia". Euromaidan Press. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ "Зустріч у Рамштайні засвідчила створення антипутінської коаліції – Єльченко" (in Ukrainian). Ukrinform. 27 April 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
- ^ "Equipment Sent to Ukraine Having an Effect on Battlefields". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
- ^ "Austin Hosts Ukraine Defense Contact Group to Continue Support for Beleaguered Country". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
- ^ "More Than 50 Nations Pledge to Help Build Ukraine's Defense". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
- ^ "Defense Leaders Meet to Bolster Ukraine Support". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
- ^ "Contact Group Aids Ukraine's Current Battle, Looks to Long-Term Assistance". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
- ^ "Allies Are Unified in Support for Ukraine Ahead of NATO Meetings, Defense Official Says". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
- ^ "Ukraine Contact Group Is Key to Helping Ukraine's Defense". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
- ^ "Next Ramstein Format Meeting on Defense of Ukraine on Jan. 20". Kyiv Post. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
- ^ Soltys, Dennis (2023-01-22). "The West Isn't Scared of Ukraine Beating Russia Anymore". 19FortyFive. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
- ^ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 14, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
- ^ Lloyd J. Austin (15 March 2023) Opening Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Tenth Ukraine Defense Contact Group (As Delivered)
- ^ "Ramstein-11 date revealed". Ukrainska Prawda. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- ^ "Ukraine Defense Contact Group to hold next meeting on Apr 21 – U.S. Air Force". Ukrinform. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
- ^ Garamone, Jim (25 May 2023). "Defense Contact Group Remains Steadfast on Ukraine Support". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to Visit Germany, Brussels and NATO for Ukraine Defense Contact Group and Defense Ministerial Meetings". U.S. Department of Defense. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Ukrainian Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- ^ "Austin Makes Call to New Counterpart in Ukraine". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
- ^ "NATO Defence Ministers meet to discuss Ukraine, deterrence and defence, Kosovo and the Middle East". NATO. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
- ^ Ukrainska Pravda (22 November 2023) Pentagon chief opens Ramstein meeting and calls for Ukraine's air defence to be strengthened
- ^ "U.S. Continues Protection Mission in Middle East, Convenes Ukraine Defense Group Meeting". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "NATO Defence Ministers to address defence spending, ammunition production, support to Ukraine". NATO. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
- ^ "U.S. Vows to Continue Support for Ukraine, Despite Funding Doubts". New York Times. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ^ "Secretary General chairs meeting of NATO-Ukraine Council, Allies agree to step up support". NATO Times. Retrieved 2024-04-20.