Ukraine Contact Group backs accelerated arms support through NATO coordination

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte participated in an online meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) on July 21, 2025, underscoring the Alliance’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

The virtual session, co-hosted by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and UK Defence Secretary John Healey, brought together Defence Ministers from across the Alliance and partner nations to coordinate military assistance for Kyiv, Caliber.Az reports via the Alliance.

During the meeting, Secretary General Rutte highlighted a major new initiative launched jointly with US President Donald J. Trump the previous week. The program, aimed at significantly enhancing Ukraine’s access to US military assets, will be funded through voluntary contributions from NATO Allies in Europe and Canada.

“This is an open-ended initiative that has already garnered interest from numerous Allies,” Rutte said. “It complements ongoing support mechanisms and provides a vital channel for the rapid delivery of US equipment and technology that Ukraine has urgently requested.”

The program will be coordinated by NATO through its existing infrastructure, particularly the NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) command based in Wiesbaden, Germany. NSATU has played a central role in coordinating Western military aid and currently manages key logistical hubs in NATO’s eastern territories.

Rutte emphasized that this new effort builds upon the decisions taken at the recent NATO Summit in The Hague, where leaders agreed to intensify defence investment, accelerate industrial production in the defence sector, and deepen long-term support for Ukraine.

“These initiatives reflect our shared goal of achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” he noted. “By increasing our collective contributions and enhancing coordination, we aim to shorten this conflict and strengthen Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.”

The UDCG, also known as the Ramstein Group, continues to serve as a critical forum for the synchronization of multinational assistance to Ukraine, bringing together more than 50 countries committed to supporting Kyiv.

By Vafa Guliyeva