U.S. Secretary Austin assesses 6th Ramstein-format meeting as excellent
"We have made excellent progress at the sixth meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group," the U.S. Secretary of Defense said at a press conference following the meeting, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
He noted that Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov and Joint Forces Commander, General Moskalyov, informed the group participants about the situation on the battlefield and the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Austin noted that the meeting participants discussed, among other things, ways of international cooperation "to strengthen our common momentum and respond to new challenges." He stated that Ukraine needed more long-range fire systems, air defense systems, artillery systems, and other important combat capabilities.
Austin thanked the allies and partners who have already agreed to provide Ukraine with the necessary systems. In particular, the Pentagon chief praised Germany for the delivery of the IRIS-T air defense systems, as well as the readiness to send additional howitzers and missile and artillery systems. In addition, he thanked Norway, Denmark, Slovakia, which agreed to invest in and increase the production of artillery for Ukraine.
"We are here because rules, rights, and sovereignty matter," the U.S. Defense Secretary emphasized. He noted that Ukraine's allies and partners would not hesitate to support its ability to defend itself against "Russian imperial ambitions."
Austin concluded by emphasizing that it is difficult to overestimate the practical significance of the Ramstein-format meetings.
"This allows us to respond to challenges in the medium term and mobilize resources much faster," the US Secretary of Defense emphasized.
As reported, the 6th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group took place in Brussels on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by representatives of 50 countries that agreed to support Ukraine's defense capabilities amid the Russian aggression. One of the main issues discussed at the meeting in Brussels was the provision of more modern air defense systems to Ukraine.
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