Latest news with #RamsteinFormat
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ukraine's defence minister: Ukraine and partners establish Ramstein initiative on defence production
Ukraine and its partner countries decided to establish a mechanism for defence production, according to an agreement reached at the 28th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein Format) held on 4 June at NATO headquarters. Source: Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov at a joint press conference with his UK and German counterparts, as reported by European Pravda Details: Umierov said the idea to create this new format originated in Western capitals, which offered assistance in building a new defence industry owned by Ukrainian defence companies. Quote: "Our partners came to me and asked if Ukrainian companies could build factories for producing their cutting-edge products in their countries. Our partners said that they are willing to fully pay for all the production from these factories." Details: The defence minister stated that output will be sent to Ukraine for as long as the war continues. Umierov added that the initiative has since expanded during discussions and now involves mutual investment. He said that under this initiative, Ukrainian producers can invest in partner countries, while companies from partner states can build megafactories in Ukraine. This is currently a new idea that is still under development. Umierov said it doesn't yet have an official name and they are calling it the Ramstein Investment to Industries Initiative. He did not specify which countries had expressed interest in such investment cooperation. However, one aspect of the initiative – establishing production in Ukraine – received public support from German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, who expressed support for producing long-range weapons in Ukraine. Background: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged partners at the Ramstein meeting to invest more in Ukraine's defence industry. This marks the first time the US secretary of defence has not attended a Ramstein-format meeting. European Pravda sources say the Pentagon chief will also not attend the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting on 5 June. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Netherlands announces new €400m maritime security aid package for Ukraine
The Netherlands will provide Ukraine with a large military aid package in the field of maritime security, including ships, boats and naval drones, worth a total of €400 million. Source: Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans ahead of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting (also known as the Ramstein Format) on 4 June in Brussels, as reported by European Pravda Quote: "For today, for today's Ukraine Defence Contact Group, I announce a new support package [for Ukraine – ed.], a new support package of €400 million in maritime security. This will include more than 100 vessels, patrol boats, transport boats, interceptors, special operations craft. So a broad array of more than 100 vessels." Details: Brekelmans reported that the package also includes over 50 naval drones, weapons systems, sensors, spare parts and training for Ukrainian specialists. Quote: "So a full package to strengthen the maritime security of Ukraine. This is very important because we do see that the Russian threats in both the Black Sea, but also around Kherson, are increasing. So this is very important for Ukraine to protect itself against that." Details: He added that the Netherlands seeks to support Ukraine in ensuring freedom of shipping and preserving maritime trade routes. Background: At the end of May, the Dutch Ministry of Defence confirmed the dispatch of the final batch of 24 F-16 fighter jets allocated for Ukraine. Romania and the Netherlands will jointly establish a centre to train Ukrainian technical personnel for the F-16 fighter jets. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pentagon chief to miss Ramstein meeting for first time
For the first time in the three years since the establishment of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein Format, the US secretary of defense will not take part in its meeting. Source: Associated Press, citing a US official Details: For the first time since the US created the international group to coordinate military assistance to Ukraine three years ago, the Pentagon chief will not be present at a meeting of over 50 other defence leaders on Wednesday 4 June. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who returned from a national security conference in Singapore on Sunday, will only arrive in Brussels on Wednesday evening, after the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting has concluded. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed to AP that Hegseth would not participate by video either. Quote from АР: "It is the latest in a series of steps that the US has taken to distance itself from the Ukraine war effort. And it comes on the heels of French President Emmanuel Macron's warning at the security conference last weekend that the US and others risk a dangerous double standard if their concentration on a potential conflict with China is done at the cost of abandoning Ukraine." Background: Hegseth's predecessor, Lloyd Austin, created the contact group after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Since then, more than 50 member countries have jointly provided Ukraine with around US$126 billion in military assistance, including over US$66.5 billion from the US. Under Austin's leadership, the US chaired the group, while he, along with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, attended the monthly meetings, held both in person and via video. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NATO announces new Ramstein format meeting next week
The United Kingdom and Germany will convene the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein Format, at NATO Headquarters on 4 June 2025. Source: press service for Alliance, as reported by European Pravda Details: The previous Ramstein Format meeting was held on 11 April in Brussels, also convened by the UK and Germany. Britain and Germany assumed coordination of the Ramstein Format following the change of presidential administration in the United States. Earlier meetings, starting in 2022 under Joe Biden's administration, were chaired by the US. Background: On 11 April, Germany and other countries announced the formation of the Electronic Warfare Coalition for Ukraine. On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed the Ramstein participants, calling for the supply of 10 Patriot systems. The day after the upcoming Ramstein meeting, on 5 June, NATO defence ministers will gather at the headquarters to prepare for the Alliance's summit in The Hague later in June. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Express Tribune
17-04-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Trump aides reportedly ‘fed up' with Europe's support for Ukraine
Aides to US President Donald Trump are reportedly 'fed up' with European efforts to support Ukraine, according to diplomats, as the administration scales back its own military and diplomatic engagement in the conflict. According to The Economist, recent steps by the Trump administration highlight a continued withdrawal of support for Ukraine. These include a military pullout from a key base in Rzeszow, Poland, a reduced role in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group—commonly known as the Ramstein Format—and the imposition of a 10% tariff on Ukrainian goods, which has not been applied to Russia. The publication further notes that Pentagon officials have recently questioned an allied nation about its ongoing weapons supply to Ukraine, underlining a shift in the US posture. Washington-based diplomats told The Economist that some within Trump's inner circle have privately expressed frustration at Europe's attempts to reinforce Ukrainian defences. 'As always with such a chaotic administration, it is hard to distinguish the true signal from the noise,' the magazine states, pointing to uncertainty over the administration's long-term intentions. European leaders have responded by pursuing a dual approach. The UK and France are reportedly leading a push for a European "reassurance force" to be deployed post-ceasefire, aiming to deter Russia and reassure NATO allies. However, the US has not committed to backing such an initiative, and Russia opposes the plan. Simultaneously, European nations are increasing military assistance to Ukraine. David Shimer, a former National Security Council official under Joe Biden, urged European countries to accelerate support. He recommended increasing arms supplies, funding Ukraine's defence sector, and negotiating with Trump's team to acquire US-made air defence systems, potentially financed through frozen Russian assets. With Russia continuing its full-scale invasion and the US stepping back, Shimer warned that Ukraine will have no choice but to keep fighting largely with European backing. Trump has previously distanced himself from the war, calling it 'Biden's war, not mine' and reportedly suggesting Russia made a strategic error in the Sumy region of Ukraine.
