Ramstein meeting: Ukraine gets $500 million in military aid

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that following the Ramstein meeting, Ukraine received half a billion dollars in military aid.

“We have received almost half a billion in aid: air defence, ammunition, winterization and F-16s”.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov

In an interview with the Radio Liberty the minister said that it is now vital to meet the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to get through the winter while the war with Russia continues.

“We have to protect our cities and our infrastructure. Of what is important, we have received almost half a billion in aid – most of it is air defence, ammunition, winterization and F-16s”.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov

Mr Umerov added that he had received assurances from the United States to continue helping Ukraine “as long as necessary.”

“Regarding the continuation of US support. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin once again assured that support for Ukraine will continue. There will be no delays in deliveries either before the end of the year or after. The United States is ready to help Ukraine as long as it takes”.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov

On the day of the Ramshine meeting, many countries announced new military aid packages for Ukraine.

Pentagon Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the creation of several “coalitions of capabilities” for Kyiv, including training for the Ukrainian Air Force. Also, during the Ramstein meeting, Lloyd Austin announced a new military aid package for Ukraine of $200 million.

Finland is providing Ukraine with the 19th package of military aid worth 95 million euros, while Canada is providing artillery shells and other weapons, winter uniforms and sleeping bags for the military.

Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced that the country will be able to deliver the first F-16s to Ukraine in the spring of 2024.

The Lithuanian Defense Ministry promised to provide Ukraine with two NASAMS air defence launchers.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that the Alliance countries had signed $4 billion worth of agreements with ammunition manufacturers to increase assistance to Ukraine.

At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters during the Ramstein meeting that he was aware of the threat of a reduction in Western aid amid escalating confrontation in the Middle East, the rise to power of pro-Russian forces in Slovakia.