Lately, defense officials from the United States and Ukraine found themselves discussing topics such as the ballistic missiles that are newly available to Russia, new meetings for arms donors, and military aid arrangements for 2025. This meeting was a coincidence with the announcement of the $725 million military aid package for Ukraine, including missiles, ammunition, anti-personnel mines, and other weaponry by the United States.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin condemned Russia’s missile and drone strikes against Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. He claimed the use of an Intermediate-Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) by Russia was a major escalation of the conflict with Ukraine. In late November, Russia fired a hypersonic IRBM at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro following U.S. and U.K. support for Ukraine’s ability to strike Russian territory with advanced Western weapons.
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Defense Minister of Ukraine Rustem Umerov stated that another point of interest was preparedness for weapons where the strategic planning would have a focus in 2025-the supply of weapons, equipment, and outfitting of Ukrainian military units. With the president-elect, Donald Trump, set to take office on January 20, Kyiv has expressed its worry about a reduction in U.S. military support to Ukraine as the country is heavily reliant on Washington’s support in its fight against Russia.
Umerov also pointed out strategic planning topics including preparations for the upcoming gathering of the Ramstein Group-a combination of NATO, the European Union, and countries supporting Ukraine. Umerov, however, did not mention the meeting date; however, some reports already spread in Ukrainian media, including European Pravda, say it is likely to happen in December, probably the last meeting before Trump’s inauguration.