Germany pushes for Ramstein-format meeting in December, likely at leader level

An additional meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format, may take place in December, with one of the options being talks at the highest level.

Source: Major General Christian Freuding, Head of the Planning Staff and the Special Task Force for Ukraine at Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence, in a conversation with journalists in Kyiv, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The German general said that negotiations are currently underway on the format of the meeting, and the possibility of holding a meeting at the level of state leaders, with the participation of US President Joe Biden, is also being considered.

"I hope that in December, before Christmas, a Ramstein-format meeting will take place with the participation of the outgoing Biden administration. There is ongoing discussion about whether the meeting will be held at the level of leaders or defence ministers," Freuding said.

The general does not consider the fact that the US president and executive branch are due to change in January to be a problem for the negotiations. On the contrary, he believes it will help reaffirm the commitment to continue supporting the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Germany is known to have handed over a package of aid and is preparing to deliver new air defence systems.

Freuding also stressed the need for a face-to-face meeting, not just a video call.

"We support this Ramstein-format meeting taking place offline, regardless of the level of representation agreed upon. We are convinced that a meeting before the change of the US government would be very useful and would give a clear signal to our partner countries that we will continue our support for Ukraine regardless of what happens in the US," he explained.

Previously: Germany announced the transfer of two more IRIS-T air defence missile systems to Ukraine by the end of the year.

Support UP or become our patron!