Ukraine's defence minister and US secretary of defence discuss planning for the next Ramstein

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov discussed planning for the next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in a telephone conversation on Sunday.

Source: Pentagon website

Details: Umierov and Austin discussed the latest developments on the battlefield and US security assistance to Ukraine.

Quote: "Secretary Austin updated Minister Umierov on US security assistance to provide the capabilities Ukraine needs to fight Russian aggression.

They also discussed planning for the next Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting and the continued strong support of Ukraine's international partners.

The two leaders pledged to remain in close contact."

Background: 

• In the summer and early autumn, NATO was sceptical about continuing its work in the event of a Trump victory. However, in November, Ukraine's defence minister said he hoped to preserve Ramstein under Trump.
• Germany is known to be pushing for a meeting in the Ramstein format in December, likely at the level of the leaders.
• In early December, several sources at NATO headquarters assured European Pravda that representatives of the North Atlantic Alliance do not see a significant chance that a change in the US administration will lead to the collapse of the Ramstein format, which coordinates military assistance to Ukraine.

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