Shells, Armored Vehicles and Rapid Reaction Forces in Europe: Ramstein 20 results
A regular meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine’s Defense within the framework of the Ramstein 20 took place in the German city of Ramstein-Miesenbach at the US Air Force base.
What are the results of the Ramstein-20 meeting, what assistance was allocated to Ukraine and the most important statements of the leaders – read more in the ICTV Facts material.
Ramstein 20
Many important statements in support of Ukraine were made during the Ramstein 20 meeting. Our delegation was headed by the Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov.
Among the important topics for discussion were the provision of air defense systems and missiles for them, long-range weapons, artillery shells, in particular, 155 mm caliber, modern electronic warfare and electronic warfare systems, as well as military armored vehicles.
During the Ramstein 20 meeting, Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said that the United States would not allow Ukraine to lose. In his opinion, the conditions in which the Ukrainian Defense Forces are fighting are extremely difficult.
– Unfortunately, civilians are suffering from attacks by Russian drones. Our message is clear. The United States will not allow Ukraine to lose. The coalition will not allow it. The entire free world will not allow it,” the US Secretary of Defense said.
According to him, the United States will provide Ukraine with the necessary resources to withstand the Kremlin’s aggression.
What kind of assistance will Ukraine receive
Germany has announced a new €500 million military aid package for Ukraine. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced the supply of 10,000 artillery shells from Bundeswehr warehouses, 100 armored infantry vehicles and 100 transport vehicles.
It is already known that Ukraine will receive about 180,000 artillery shells as part of the Czech initiative to purchase 800,000 shells for the Armed Forces.
During a joint briefing, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius and Polish Defense Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysh announced the creation of an armored vehicle coalition to help the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
This cooperation will begin on March 26. According to the Polish minister, this is one of the most important coalitions created, which other partners want to join. Among them are the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Italy.
The two ministers announced the creation of a new joint rapid response force in Europe. They said that in the summer, the battlegroups, which will include 2,500 soldiers from each country, will be ready to respond quickly.
– No one really knows when Russia will attack in Europe. We see what it is capable of, and it has been attacking Ukraine for more than two years. We all have to be ready for the threat from Putin’s Russia any year,” Pistorius said.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that various options are being considered to supply more ammunition to Ukraine. He suggested that the shells could be purchased outside of Europe.
What other support does Ukraine need?
During his visit to Luxembourg, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine is currently experiencing a severe shortage of ammunition. According to him, since April, more shells have been needed to deter the offensive of Russian troops.
At the same time, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that the Armed Forces need more air defense systems. According to him, Russia has launched 130 missile strikes, 320 drone attacks and dropped almost 900 guided glider bombs this month alone.
Ukraine also needs to put an end to Russia’s air and artillery superiority, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.
He noted that the needs of the Armed Forces have not changed: ammunition, air defense, UAVs, and electronic warfare systems.
