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Ukraine Defense Contact Group

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A map showing Ukraine Defense Contact Group members and others providing military aid to Ukraine

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG, also known as the Ramstein group[1][2]) is an alliance of 57 countries (all 32 member states of NATO and 25 other countries) and the European Union supporting the defence of Ukraine by sending military equipment in response to the 2022 Russian invasion.[3] The group coordinates the ongoing donation of military aid at monthly meetings.[4] A first meeting took place between 41 countries on 26 April 2022, and the coalition comprised 54 countries at the time of the 14 February 2023 meeting.[5] As of November 2023 reports of meetings usually state "more than 50" or "about 50" members.[6]

Meetings

Inaugural Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on 26 April 2022

At the 20 January 2023 meeting at Ramstein Air Base, leading to the group thereafter being referred to as the "Ramstein Group", the alliance supported sending heavy offensive weaponry to Ukraine, in support of a planned spring offensive.[7][8] The possible transfer of German-made Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Poland was a sticking point at the January 2023 meeting and in bilateral discussions following this.[9] Germany continued to delay Leopard tank exports until 25 January 2023 when it announced it would provide 14 of its own Leopard 2A6 tanks in tandem with the United States providing 31 M1 Abrams tanks.[10] By 25 February, 71 Leopard 2 tanks had been formally committed for delivery to Ukraine from Germany (18), Portugal (3), Sweden (10), Poland (14), Spain (10), Norway (8), and Canada (8); the first four arrived in Ukraine on 24 February. Additionally, a joint German-Danish-Dutch initiative was announced on 7 February to supply 100–178 Leopard 1A5 tanks from FFG and Rheinmetall stocks.[11]

At the 14 February conference, the main topic of discussion was the transfer of modern fighter jets to Ukraine.[12] The two subsequent meetings included considering how to finance an increase in industrial capacity to sustainably replace ammunition and equipment sent to Ukraine into the future.[13]

The 11 October 2023 meeting took place after the 2023 Israel–Hamas war had started. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended, and was given assurances military aid would be sustained, although Zelenskyy acknowledged there was uncertainty. Zelenskiy emphasised the need for winter air defence.[14] NBC News later reported that officials at the meeting had begun confidential and delicate talks with the Ukrainian officials about what the broad outlines of possible peace negotiations might entail, according to two U.S. participants.[15]

The 23 January 2024 meeting concluded without any US funding, only from France, and Germany in the face of obstacles to funding in the US Congress.[16][17]

Meetings list

Date Location Note
1 26 April 2022 Ramstein Air Base [18]
2 23 May 2022 Virtual [19]
3 15 June 2022 NATO headquarters [20]
4 20 July 2022 Virtual [21]
5 8 September 2022 Ramstein Air Base [22]
6 12 October 2022 NATO headquarters [23]
7 16 November 2022 Virtual [24]
8 20 January 2023 Ramstein Air Base [25][26]
9 14 February 2023 NATO headquarters [27]
10 15 March 2023 Virtual [28]
11 21 April 2023 Ramstein Air Base [29][30]
12 25 May 2023 Virtual [31]
13 15 June 2023 NATO headquarters [32]
14 18 July 2023 Virtual [33]
15 19 September 2023 Ramstein Air Base [34]
16 11 October 2023 NATO headquarters [35]
17 22 November 2023 Virtual [6]
18 23 January 2024 Virtual [36]
19 14 February 2024 NATO headquarters [37]
20 19 March 2024 Ramstein Air Base [38]
21 26 April 2024 Virtual [39]
22 20 May 2024 Virtual [40]
23 13 June 2024 NATO headquarters [41]
24 6 September 2024 Ramstein Air Base [42]
25 12 October 2024 Ramstein Air Base [43][44]

Subgroups

Eight capability coalitions have been formed within UDCG:[45][46]

A total of 16 countries are involved in the fighter program. Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands have committed to supply aircraft to Ukraine. So far, the US has declined to supply its own F-16s, which are produced in America. Morris Air National Guard Base in Arizona, The 86th “Lieutenant Aviator Gheorghe Mociorniță” Air Base in Borcea, Romania; Skrydstrup Air Base in southern Denmark and undisclosed UK location are used for pilot training.[47]

  • Armor: Germany, Poland
  • Artillery: France, US
  • Demining: Iceland, Lithuania
  • Drones: Latvia, UK
  • Integrated Air and Missile Defense: France, Germany
  • Information Technology: Estonia, Luxembourg
  • Maritime Security: Norway, UK

Members and partners

The following is a list of nations/organizations confirmed to have had a representative attend at least one Contact Group meeting:

The following countries' participation in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group are not publicly confirmed, though they are confirmed to have provided military aid (lethal and non-lethal) to Ukraine:

  •  Azerbaijan (provided mortars and aerial bombs)
  •  Cambodia (provides de-mining training)[48]
  •  Colombia (provides de-mining training)
  •  Israel (provided anti-drone systems, counter-drone intelligence, and non-lethal aid such as helmets, flak jackets, etc.)[49][50] Israel has been unwilling to provide Ukraine with weapons.[51]
  •  Jordan (provided rocket launchers and air defense missiles)
  •  Morocco (provided 20 T-72 tanks)
  •  Pakistan (provided artillery shells, rockets, and other ammunition)[48]
  •  Sudan (provided 120 mm mortar bombs and additional undeclared aid)
  •  Taiwan (provided unmanned aerial vehicles)

NATO–Ukraine Council

NATO plans to invite Ukraine as an equal member into a new organization, the NATO–Ukraine Council.[52] This organization was announced at NATO's July 2023 summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.[52]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Special Online Briefing with Ambassador Julianne Smith, U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO". United States Department of State. 2023-02-13. Archived from the original on 2023-02-15. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  2. ^ "Ukraine Latest: G-7 Foreign Ministers Plan to Meet in Munich". Bloomberg.com. 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  3. ^ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 14, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  4. ^ Seligman, Lara; McLeary, Paul (1 May 2023). "The little-known group that's saving Ukraine". Politico. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  5. ^ Jim Garamone (14 February 2023). "Austin: Contact Group Continues Stand With Ukrainian People". US Department of Defense (DOD News). Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b Ukrainska Pravda (22 November 2023) Pentagon chief opens Ramstein meeting and calls for Ukraine's air defence to be strengthened
  7. ^ Soltys, Dennis (2023-01-22). "The West Isn't Scared of Ukraine Beating Russia Anymore". 19FortyFive. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  8. ^ "Next Ramstein Format Meeting on Defense of Ukraine on Jan. 20". KyivPost. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  9. ^ Martin, Tim (2023-01-20). "Ukraine Contact Group meeting caps off deluge of new arms pledges, but no German Leopards". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  10. ^ Jordans, Frank (2023-01-25). "U.S. to send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as Germany breaks Leopard deadlock". Global News. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  11. ^ Marcus, Anthony (2023-02-08). "Germany announces supply of 178 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine". Eurasia Business News. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  12. ^ Karesh, Steve (2023-02-14). "FLASHPOINT UKRAINE: The Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting Gets Under Way". VOA News. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  13. ^ Seligman, Lara; McLeary, Paul (1 May 2023). "The little-known group that's saving Ukraine". POLITICO. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  14. ^ Gray, Andrew; Ali, Idrees (11 October 2023). "NATO assures Zelenskiy of support even as world's eyes turn to Mideast". Reuters. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  15. ^ Kube, Courtney; Lee, Carol E.; Welker, Kristen (3 November 2023). "U.S., European officials broach topic of peace negotiations with Ukraine, sources say". NBC News. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
  16. ^ Defense One (25 Jan 2024) Today's D Brief: DOD runs out of Ukraine funds; ...
  17. ^ Newsweek (25 Jan 2024) NATO Ally Proposes Taurus Missile Solution for Ukraine
  18. ^ "Equipment Sent to Ukraine Having an Effect on Battlefields". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  19. ^ "Austin Hosts Ukraine Defense Contact Group to Continue Support for Beleaguered Country". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  20. ^ "More Than 50 Nations Pledge to Help Build Ukraine's Defense". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  21. ^ "Defense Leaders Meet to Bolster Ukraine Support". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  22. ^ "Contact Group Aids Ukraine's Current Battle, Looks to Long-Term Assistance". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  23. ^ "Allies Are Unified in Support for Ukraine Ahead of NATO Meetings, Defense Official Says". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  24. ^ "Ukraine Contact Group Is Key to Helping Ukraine's Defense". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  25. ^ "Next Ramstein Format Meeting on Defense of Ukraine on Jan. 20". Kyiv Post. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  26. ^ Soltys, Dennis (2023-01-22). "The West Isn't Scared of Ukraine Beating Russia Anymore". 19FortyFive. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  27. ^ "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 14, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  28. ^ Lloyd J. Austin (15 March 2023) Opening Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Tenth Ukraine Defense Contact Group (As Delivered)
  29. ^ "Ramstein-11 date revealed". Ukrainska Prawda. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  30. ^ "Ukraine Defense Contact Group to hold next meeting on Apr 21 – U.S. Air Force". Ukrinform. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  31. ^ Garamone, Jim (25 May 2023). "Defense Contact Group Remains Steadfast on Ukraine Support". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  32. ^ "Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to Visit Germany, Brussels and NATO for Ukraine Defense Contact Group and Defense Ministerial Meetings". U.S. Department of Defense. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  33. ^ "Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Ukrainian Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  34. ^ "Austin Makes Call to New Counterpart in Ukraine". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  35. ^ "NATO Defence Ministers meet to discuss Ukraine, deterrence and defence, Kosovo and the Middle East". NATO. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  36. ^ "U.S. Continues Protection Mission in Middle East, Convenes Ukraine Defense Group Meeting". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  37. ^ "NATO Defence Ministers to address defence spending, ammunition production, support to Ukraine". NATO. Retrieved 2024-02-15.
  38. ^ "U.S. Vows to Continue Support for Ukraine, Despite Funding Doubts". New York Times. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  39. ^ "US to provide new Patriot missiles for Ukraine as part of additional $6bn aid package". Irish Times Times. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
  40. ^ https://www.gov.pl/web/national-defence/22-meeting-of-the-ukraine-defense-contact-group
  41. ^ https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/news/2024/06/minister-blair-announces-additional-military-assistance-for-ukraine-at-the-23rd-meeting-of-the-ukraine-defense-contact-group.html
  42. ^ https://www.voanews.com/amp/zelenskyy-meets-top-military-leaders-in-germany-as-the-us-announces-additional-aid-to-ukraine/7773768.html
  43. ^ https://www.rttnews.com/amp/3477978/ukraine-defense-contact-group-to-meet-in-germany-on-october-12.aspx
  44. ^ https://www.ukrinform.net/amp/rubric-ato/3913068-zelensky-steps-towards-just-end-to-war-will-be-presented-at-ramstein-meeting.html
  45. ^ "Umerov after Ramstein: 15 countries join air defense coalition in support of Ukraine".
  46. ^ "Eight capability coalitions are rushing arms to Ukraine. Here's who will donate what. (EXPLAINER)". Breakingdefense. 2024-07-22. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  47. ^ "Eight capability coalitions are rushing arms to Ukraine. Here's who will donate what. (EXPLAINER)". Breakingdefense. 2024-07-22. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  48. ^ a b Pro-Ukraine alliance pledges more military aid. 11 October 2023. DW News. "The UDCG includes all 31 NATO member states alongside 23 further nations in support of Ukraine such as Australia, Japan, Pakistan, Kenya and Cambodia".
  49. ^ Goldstein, Tani. "Israeli defense firm selling anti-drone systems to Ukraine by way of Poland". www.timesofisrael.com. Archived from the original on 25 September 2022. Retrieved 2022-09-26.
  50. ^ "Israel giving intel on Russia's Iranian drones to Ukraine - report". The Jerusalem Post. 13 October 2022. Archived from the original on 17 November 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  51. ^ Pollard, Jonathan (31 October 2023). "Can Israel help Ukraine?". Israel Hayom.
  52. ^ a b David Vergun, DOD News (16 Jun 2023) NATO-Ukraine Defense Council to Be Established
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