The session was inaugurated by Lloyd Austin, the head of the Pentagon, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine in attendance.
The opening of the meeting was broadcast live by the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine (OPU) on Facebook.
President Zelenskyy's Opening Speech
During his speech, President Zelenskyy extended his gratitude to all partner nations for their ongoing assistance. He emphasized his commitment, stating, “I am doing everything possible to ensure that this year this war ends with dignity for Ukraine and all of Europe.”
Key points from Zelenskyy's address included:
Weapon Production Goals:
Ukraine aims to achieve record levels of domestic weapon production within the year to deter enemy forces. To date, 27 agreements have been finalized with international partners. However, Zelenskyy noted that additional support is necessary and called on more countries to contribute to halting Putin’s military actions.Strengthening Sanctions:
The President advocated for the enhancement of sanctions against Russia, highlighting that increased restrictions on the energy sector would expedite the path to peace.Kursk Operation Anniversary:
Zelenskyy marked the five-month anniversary of the Kursk operation, celebrating it as one of Ukraine's victories. He reported that Ukrainian Armed Forces have eliminated 4,000 North Korean soldiers recruited by Russia to fight against Ukraine, describing Russian threats as ultimately being a bluff.Urgent Air Defense Supplies:
The President underscored the critical need for immediate supplies of air defense systems to prevent tragedies similar to the recent incident in Zaporizhia, where Russian forces killed 13 people and injured over 110.
Upcoming Ramstein Meeting
The Ramstein-format meeting is scheduled to continue on Thursday, January 9, with Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin attending his final Ramstein meeting of the year. The agenda includes discussions on:
Defense Assistance Review:
Evaluating the outcomes of US assistance to Ukraine during 2024.Future Cooperation Plans:
Planning collaborative efforts between defense ministries for 2025.Defense Capabilities Planning:
Developing a strategic plan for Ukraine’s defense capabilities extending until 2027.
Additional Context
On the morning of January 9, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov held a meeting with Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin. The Pentagon has indicated that a comprehensive support plan for Ukraine’s defense up to 2027 will be established during the Ramstein meeting.
The Polish Ministry of Defense has suggested that the upcoming Ramstein meeting may be the last of its kind for this year.
About the Ramstein Meetings:
Ramstein meetings are high-level defense discussions held in Ramstein, Germany, bringing together representatives from NATO member countries and partners to coordinate defense assistance and strategic support for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts.
