Ramstein talks proceed without US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth

The Ramstein meeting has begun, bringing together defence ministers and their deputies from 52 countries, although US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth notably did not participate.

Convened jointly by the United Kingdom and Germany, the meeting is chaired by both nations, Caliber.Az reports citing Ukrainian media.

 Representing the United States is Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, while Germany’s Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius, was also absent.

Ukraine’s delegation includes the newly appointed Defence Minister, Rustem Shmyhal, alongside Danil Umerov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council.

At the opening of the talks, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to a substantial NATO weapons supply plan for Ukraine, initially proposed by former US President Donald Trump. 

He highlighted that the UK has already pledged over £4.5 billion (over $ 6 billion) to Ukraine this year, providing nearly 50,000 drones and delivering new air defence systems in cooperation with Germany.

The “Ramstein” format, officially known as the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), was launched in April 2022 at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

Spearheaded by the United States, the forum brings together over 50 countries, including NATO members and key allies, to coordinate military support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion. 

The group meets regularly—either in person or virtually—to align strategies, assess Ukraine’s defence needs, and streamline arms deliveries. The meetings have played a central role in facilitating large-scale military aid, such as artillery systems, armoured vehicles, and air defence equipment.

Co-chaired by the US and rotating hosts like Germany or the UK, Ramstein has become a critical platform for maintaining transatlantic unity on Ukraine.

The format not only underscores Western military commitment but also strengthens long-term defence planning and interoperability among Ukraine’s partners. As of mid-2025, the UDCG remains a cornerstone of Kyiv’s international military support.

By Aghakazim Guliyev