RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — In a pivotal meeting on Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged the forthcoming Trump administration to maintain its military assistance to Ukraine, cautioning that pulling back support would lead to increased aggression and disorder. “We’ve made significant strides, and it would be unwise to abandon our progress now. Everyone deserves assurance that their nation will not simply vanish,” stated Zelenskyy.
Concerns have arisen among allies regarding President-elect Donald Trump’s inclination towards a rapid resolution of the conflict and his previous connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin, leaving uncertainty about ongoing military support for Ukraine. The Biden administration has been proactive in extending military aid to Ukraine, recently approving a $500 million weapons package and easing restrictions on missile strikes into Russian territory. This strategy aims to position Ukraine favorably for any future peace negotiations.
Austin reinforced Zelenskyy’s message, declaring that “no responsible leader will allow Putin to dictate outcomes.” While acknowledging the unpredictability of Trump’s administration, Austin noted that international leaders meeting at Ramstein discussed the critical need for continued support for Ukraine.
The gathering was part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which consists of around 50 nations brought together by Austin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 to synchronize military aid. During what may be his final press briefing in this role, Austin remarked, “I’m departing not with a goodbye, but with a challenge. The coalition supporting Ukraine cannot waver. Its success is vital not only for Ukraine’s existence but for our collective security.”
Discussions also occurred on how the contact group might adapt if U.S. support were to dwindle, focusing on key European allies, such as Germany. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius indicated that Germany and other nations are evaluating their next steps. Austin emphasized the importance of maintaining the coalition, referring to it as “the arsenal of Ukrainian democracy” and “the most significant global alliance in over three decades.”
Originally, President Joe Biden was scheduled to meet with Zelenskyy in Rome shortly. However, he canceled this meeting due to devastating wildfires in California. Following Trump’s inauguration on January 20, Pistorius plans to visit the U.S. to conjoin with his new U.S. counterpart on these issues.
Zelenskyy pointed out that the forthcoming changes require heightened cooperation, asserting, “A new chapter will unfold for Europe and the global community very soon.” Ukraine has initiated a second offensive into Russia’s Kursk region and is experiencing extensive missile barrages from Russia as both parties aim to secure advantageous positions for forthcoming negotiations.
Zelenskyy described the Kursk offensive as a significant victory, inflicting heavy losses on Russia and its ally North Korea, who sent troops to assist in the conflict. He disclosed that while he estimates North Korean casualties at around 4,000, U.S. assessments suggest around 1,200.
Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine will continuously require air defense capabilities and munitions to mitigate Russian missile threats. The latest U.S. aid package includes both air defense missiles and supplies for fighter jets, alongside equipment for F-16s and various types of ammunition.
Funding for these weapons comes from presidential drawdown authority, allowing resources to be accessed directly from U.S. military stockpiles, with plans for expedited delivery to Ukraine before the month’s end. Should additional aid packages not be authorized, approximately $3.85 billion in congressionally approved funding will remain for future arms provision, leaving it to Trump to decide on its utilization.
“If Putin conquers Ukraine, his ambitions will only escalate,” Austin warned. “We would merely be inviting further chaos and conflict if aggressors are rewarded.” In the wake of Trump’s election, European allies have been pondering the implications of this shift for their strategies against Russian advances and the durability of post-World War II alliances.
Recently, Trump threatened to annex Greenland, a territory belonging to NATO ally Denmark, if required, which could disrupt established norms within the alliance and potentially compel member nations to defend Denmark. While Austin refrained from commenting on this assertion, Pistorius labeled it “diplomatically astonishing.”
“Every alliance should remain intact, regardless of which political parties are in power,” he added, remaining hopeful that such statements would not significantly alter U.S. policies post-January 20. Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, countries like the U.S. have increased their military production in recognition of the inadequacies exposed by the conflict, with the U.S. having allocated approximately $66 billion in aid since February 2022, effectively delivering 80%-90% of this aid to Ukraine.
