Ukraine Defense Contact Group

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG, also known as the Ramstein group[1][2]) is an alliance of 54 countries (all 31 member states of NATO and 23 other countries) supporting the defence of Ukraine by sending military equipment in response to the 2022 Russian invasion.[3] The group coordinates the ongoing donation of military aid at monthly meetings.[4] A first meeting took place between 41 countries on 26 April 2022, and the coalition comprised 54 countries (as of the 14 February 2023 meeting).[5]

A map showing Ukraine Defense Contact Group members and others providing military aid to Ukraine

At the 20 January 2023 meeting at Ramstein Air Base, the alliance supported sending heavy offensive weaponry to Ukraine, in support of a planned spring offensive.[6][7] The possible transfer of German made Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Poland was a sticking point at the January 2023 meeting and in bilateral discussions following this.[8] Germany continued to delay Leopard tank exports until 25 January 2023 when it announced it would provide 14 of its own Leopard 2A6 tanks in tandem with the United States providing 31 M1 Abrams tanks.[9] By 25 February, 71 Leopard 2 tanks had been formally committed for delivery to Ukraine from Germany (18), Portugal (3), Sweden (10), Poland (14), Spain (10), Norway (8), and Canada (8); the first four arrived in Ukraine on 24 February. Additionally, a joint German-Danish-Dutch initiative was announced on 7 February to supply 100–178 Leopard 1A5 tanks from FFG and Rheinmetall stocks.[10]

At the 14 February conference, the main topic of discussion was the transfer of modern fighter jets to Ukraine.[11]

Meetings
Date Location Note
1 26 April 2022 Ramstein Air Base [12]
2 23 May 2022 Virtual [13]
3 15 June 2022 NATO headquarters [14]
4 20 July 2022 Virtual [15]
5 8 September 2022 Ramstein Air Base [16]
6 12 October 2022 NATO headquarters [17]
7 16 November 2022 Virtual [18]
8 20 January 2023 Ramstein Air Base [19][20]
9 14 February 2023 NATO headquarters [3]
10 15 March 2023 Virtual [21]
11 21 April 2023 Ramstein Air Base [22][23]
12 25 May 2023 Virtual [24]
13 15 June 2023 NATO headquarters [25]
14 18 July 2023 Virtual [26]
15 19 September 2023 Ramstein Air Base [27]
16 11 October 2023 NATO headquarters [28]

Members and partners

The following is a list of nations/organizations confirmed to have had a representative attend at least one Contact Group meeting:


The following countries' participation in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group are not publicly confirmed, though they are confirmed to have provided military aid (lethal and non-lethal) to Ukraine:

  •  Azerbaijan (provided mortars and aerial bombs)
  •  Cambodia (provides de-mining training)
  •  Colombia (provides de-mining training)
  •  Israel (provided anti-drone systems, counter-drone intelligence, and non-lethal aid such as helmets, flak jackets, etc.)
  •  Jordan (provided rocket launchers and air defense missiles)
  •  Morocco (provided 20 T-72 tanks)
  •  Pakistan (provided artillery shells, rockets, and other ammunition)
  •  Sudan (provided 120mm mortar bombs and additional undeclared aid)
  •  Taiwan (provided unmanned aerial vehicles)

NATO–Ukraine Council

NATO plans to invite Ukraine as an equal member into a new organization, the NATO–Ukraine Council.[29] This organization was announced at NATO's July 2023 summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.[29]

See also

References
  1. "Special Online Briefing with Ambassador Julianne Smith, U.S. Permanent Representative to NATO". United States Department of State. 2023-02-13. Archived from the original on 2023-02-15. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  2. "Ukraine Latest: G-7 Foreign Ministers Plan to Meet in Munich". Bloomberg.com. 2023-02-12. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
  3. "Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 14, 2023". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  4. Seligman, Lara; McLeary, Paul (1 May 2023). "The little-known group that's saving Ukraine". Politico. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  5. Jim Garamone (14 February 2023). "Austin: Contact Group Continues Stand With Ukrainian People". US Department of Defense (DOD News). Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  6. Soltys, Dennis (2023-01-22). "The West Isn't Scared of Ukraine Beating Russia Anymore". 19FortyFive. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  7. "Next Ramstein Format Meeting on Defense of Ukraine on Jan. 20". KyivPost. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  8. Martin, Tim (2023-01-20). "Ukraine Contact Group meeting caps off deluge of new arms pledges, but no German Leopards". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  9. Jordans, Frank (2023-01-25). "U.S. to send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine as Germany breaks Leopard deadlock". Global News. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  10. Marcus, Anthony (2023-02-08). "Germany announces supply of 178 Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine". Eurasia Business News. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  11. Karesh, Steve (2023-02-14). "FLASHPOINT UKRAINE: The Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting Gets Under Way". VOA News. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
  12. "Equipment Sent to Ukraine Having an Effect on Battlefields". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  13. "Austin Hosts Ukraine Defense Contact Group to Continue Support for Beleaguered Country". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  14. "More Than 50 Nations Pledge to Help Build Ukraine's Defense". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  15. "Defense Leaders Meet to Bolster Ukraine Support". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  16. "Contact Group Aids Ukraine's Current Battle, Looks to Long-Term Assistance". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  17. "Allies Are Unified in Support for Ukraine Ahead of NATO Meetings, Defense Official Says". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  18. "Ukraine Contact Group Is Key to Helping Ukraine's Defense". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  19. "Next Ramstein Format Meeting on Defense of Ukraine on Jan. 20". Kyiv Post. 7 January 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  20. Soltys, Dennis (2023-01-22). "The West Isn't Scared of Ukraine Beating Russia Anymore". 19FortyFive. Retrieved 2023-01-23.
  21. Lloyd J. Austin (15 March 2023) Opening Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Tenth Ukraine Defense Contact Group (As Delivered)
  22. "Ramstein-11 date revealed". Ukrainska Prawda. 11 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  23. "Ukraine Defense Contact Group to hold next meeting on Apr 21 – U.S. Air Force". Ukrinform. 13 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  24. Garamone, Jim (25 May 2023). "Defense Contact Group Remains Steadfast on Ukraine Support". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 26 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  25. "Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs to Visit Germany, Brussels and NATO for Ukraine Defense Contact Group and Defense Ministerial Meetings". U.S. Department of Defense. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  26. "Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Ukrainian Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  27. "Austin Makes Call to New Counterpart in Ukraine". U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
  28. "NATO Defence Ministers meet to discuss Ukraine, deterrence and defence, Kosovo and the Middle East". NATO. Retrieved 2023-10-11.
  29. David Vergun, DOD News (16 Jun 2023) NATO-Ukraine Defense Council to Be Established
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