NATO meeting in Brussels: New support for Ukraine planned!

NATO meeting in Brussels: New support for Ukraine planned!

The Ukraine contact group, known as the Ukraine Defense Consultative Group (UDCG), is meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss further support for Ukraine in the context of Russia's ongoing war of aggression. High-ranking representatives were invited, including German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and British Defense Minister John Healey. Particularly noticeable is the absence of US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who will not arrive until the NATO defense ministers' meeting on Thursday. These discussions are part of ongoing activities launched in April 2022 as part of the Ramstein Format after U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin convened the first meeting to coordinate military and civilian support to Ukraine, particularly against Russian aggression in eastern Ukraine and Crimea.

A total of 25 meetings have taken place in the Ramstein format since it was founded, with regular appointments facilitating coordination between over 50 countries. The meetings were successfully used to develop commitments of support that are essential for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Topics discussed include military aid, ammunition, air defense systems and armored vehicles. The last meeting took place on January 9, 2025, during which further support for Ukraine was announced. In addition to the specific military aid, the geopolitical situation, as described in NATO's current strategic concept, also plays a crucial role.

The context of the Ramstein format

The Ramstein format presents itself as a central platform to maximize military and civilian support for Ukraine. The first use of the term 'Ramstein format' was documented in Handelsblatt in June 2022, showing how important these regular consultations have become in Western defense strategy. This initiative is a response to the annexations of visibly aggressive regimes and underlines the need for a collective approach to ensure European security.

NATO's strategic concept, which was adopted at the summit in Madrid in 2022, responds to the Russian war of aggression and the changed security policy landscape. NATO has identified Russia as a key threat and is committed to “defending every square meter of alliance territory.” In addition, an increased military presence on the eastern flank is sought, which also includes the stationing of German troops in Lithuania. In these complex security times, pragmatic cooperation among NATO countries is crucial to meet the challenges arising from hybrid threats and the unpredictable geopolitical situation.

The dialogue and support within the Ramstein format are therefore not only military but also diplomatic measures that are intended to strengthen Western solidarity towards Russia. Given the geopolitical dynamics, the UDCG meeting in Brussels will play a crucial role in coordinating further support to Ukraine and ensuring that Western allies can respond appropriately to ever-evolving threats.