During the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
The President expressed gratitude to the United States for the $500 million security assistance package announced during the Ramstein meeting, provided under the presidential drawdown authority.
Ukraine is thankful to the United States, the entire American people, and the bipartisan and bicameral support that helps safeguard independence and protect lives in the fight against Russia's unprovoked and criminal aggression. Thanks to the support of the U.S. and all partners, Ukraine has managed to save hundreds of towns and villages from destruction by the Russian army.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Lloyd Austin discussed the situation on the battlefield in detail, including developments in the Pokrovsk direction and the Kursk operation.
Both sides acknowledged the critical role of drones at this stage of the war. The President outlined Ukraine’s defense needs for various types of UAVs, emphasizing that Ukraine’s strong positions on the battlefield are essential to achieving a just and lasting peace.
One of the key topics of the meeting was the implementation of decisions of the NATO summit in Washington, particularly the strengthening of Ukraine's air defense. The President and the Secretary of Defense explored the prospects of providing additional air defense systems, including through cooperation with other partners.
They also discussed the continued work of the Ramstein format coalition and the launch of NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) initiative.
