Ukraine’s allies convened for the 25th time at Ramstein Air Base in Germany as part of the “Ukraine Defense Contact Group.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky personally attended the meeting, marking one of his last discussions with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin before Donald Trump and his administration assume power in 11 days. Also present were NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and High Representative for Foreign Policy Kaja Kallas.
During the gathering, Austin announced a new $500 million (€485 million) military aid package for Ukraine. This package includes additional missiles for air defense, ammunition, air-to-ground munitions, and other equipment to support Ukraine’s F-16 fighter jets. “The survival of Ukraine is at stake,” Austin emphasized, “but so too is the security of Europe, the United States, and the world. Ukraine’s fight concerns us all. Autocrats must not place imperialist ambitions above the fundamental rights of sovereign nations.”
The goal is to ensure the necessary weapons and ammunition reach the battlefield before the end of the month. However, there is uncertainty about future support. Current President Joe Biden retains the ability to provide around $3.85 billion (€3.75 billion) in additional arms. Without further measures, the decision on Ukraine’s support will fall to Trump.
Both Austin and Zelensky expressed hope that U.S. aid would continue under the new administration. “Abandoning Ukraine now would lead to more aggression, chaos, and war,” Austin warned. Zelensky added, “We’ve come too far to give up now. Whatever happens in the world, every nation deserves the assurance that it won’t be erased from the map.”
🚨🇺🇦ZELENSKY: I WILL END THE WAR IN 2025
Zelensky vows to do “everything possible” to end the war “honorably” for Ukraine and Europe this year.
Meanwhile, the US announced a $500M aid package at a Rammstein meeting in Germany, including missiles, shells, and F-16 support.… pic.twitter.com/NZkYy9RWlB
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 9, 2025
Austin cautioned against appeasing autocrats. “If Putin conquers Ukraine, his appetite for expansion will only grow,” he said. “Allowing aggression to go unpunished invites more aggression, and democracies cannot afford to abandon their principles.”
At the meeting, Zelensky again advocated the stationing of Western troops in Ukraine. ‘The deployment of contingents of partners is one of the best tools to force Russia to peace,’ Zelensky said. He also called for permission to produce US anti-aircraft missiles on Ukrainian territory.
France and some other supporters of Ukraine have been thinking aloud for some time about sending Western troops to Ukraine to monitor a ceasefire there. ‘Let’s be more practical in making that happen,’ Zelensky said.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte stressed the global implications of the war. “A favorable outcome for Russia will embolden China and other adversaries of the United States,” he said. Rutte emphasized the need to leave Ukraine in a strong position for any future peace negotiations.
Unlike Trump, who has repeatedly claimed he can broker peace quickly in the three-year conflict, Rutte underscored the importance of securing a meaningful victory for Ukraine. “The world is watching,” he said. “If it’s not a good deal, adversaries like China, North Korea, and Iran will see it as a weakness. This is not just about Ukraine—it’s about the global order.”
NATO has also highlighted the growing ties between Russia and China to counter Trump’s skepticism about the alliance’s value. “When we speak of Ukraine, we’re addressing broader global stakes,” Rutte concluded, aiming to underscore the strategic necessity of a united Western front.
Copyright picture: President.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons