At Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held their final meeting, urging the upcoming Trump administration to maintain its support for Ukraine. Austin expressed that halting military assistance now would only lead to further aggression and turmoil. Zelenskyy echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the progress that has been made and stating, “It would honestly be crazy to drop the ball now and not keep building on the defense coalitions we’ve created.” He highlighted the universal desire for nations to remain secure and not be wiped off the map.
Concerns have been voiced among allies due to President-elect Donald Trump’s statements about seeking a swift conclusion to the ongoing conflict, his favorable view of Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the uncertainty surrounding his commitment to providing further military aid to Ukraine. The Biden administration has been actively working to offer substantial military assistance to Ukraine, including a recent $500 million weapons package and adjusted regulations on missile strikes aimed at Russia, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s position in any future negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict.
Austin reaffirmed Zelenskyy’s plea, asserting that “no responsible leader will let Putin have his way.” Acknowledging the unpredictability of Trump’s forthcoming policies, he mentioned that the international leaders present at the meeting discussed the essential nature of sustaining their mission. The leaders converged for the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, a coalition of around 50 nations formed to coordinate military support following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
In his last press briefing, Austin remarked, “I’m leaving this contact group not with a farewell but with a challenge. The coalition to support Ukraine must not flinch. It must not falter. And it must not fail.” He stressed that Ukraine’s survival is crucial not only for itself but for global security as well. Discussions among the leaders included considerations for a potential shift in the group’s dynamics should the U.S. retract its support, with nations like Germany preparing alternative strategies.
Germany’s Defense Minister Boris Pistorius indicated that various European countries are exploring options in light of upcoming leadership changes. Austin underscored the importance of the coalition, referring to it as “the arsenal of Ukrainian democracy” and asserting its status as “the most consequential global coalition in more than 30 years.” A meeting between President Biden and Zelenskyy was scheduled but was canceled due to devastating fires in California.
Pistorius also revealed plans to visit the U.S. shortly after Trump’s inauguration to discuss defense collaboration with his American counterpart. Zelenskyy noted that the transition ahead signified a new chapter for Europe and the world, calling for enhanced cooperation. Amidst these developments, Ukraine has initiated a new offensive in Russia’s Kursk region while facing a continuous onslaught of long-range missiles from Russia. Both sides aim to position themselves favorably for negotiations ahead of Trump taking office.
Zelenskyy described the offensive in Kursk as “one of our biggest wins,” attributing significant troop losses to both Russia and North Korea, which has sent soldiers to support Russia. He claimed North Korea has sustained 4,000 casualties, although U.S. assessments suggest the figure to be around 1,200. Emphasizing the ongoing need for air defense systems and munitions, Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine must be prepared to counter Russian missile strikes effectively.
The latest U.S. military aid package encompasses air defense missiles, support equipment for F-16 fighter jets, armored bridging systems, and small arms plus ammunition. This support is sourced through presidential drawdown authority, which allows for direct access to U.S. military stockpiles, with the Pentagon aiming for swift delivery to Ukraine before the month concludes. Without additional aid packages, the Biden administration will retain approximately $3.85 billion in authorized funding for future arms shipments, with the decision to utilize these funds resting upon Trump.
Austin urged the leaders gathered, stating, “If Putin swallows Ukraine, his appetite will only grow.” He warned that if aggressors learn that their actions yield rewards, it would only foster more conflict and chaos. Following the news of Trump’s election victory, European nations have been contemplating the implications for their strategy to deter Russian advances and the stability of the post-World War II Western alliance.
Recently, Trump’s provocative remarks about potentially seizing Greenland—a territory of Denmark, a NATO member—by force if necessary, have raised alarms. Such statements could undermine the integrity of the NATO alliance and compel nations to defend Denmark. Austin refrained from commenting on Trump’s comments, while Pistorius characterized them as “diplomatically astonishing.”
Pistorius conveyed optimism that such remarks would not significantly alter U.S. political stances post-inauguration. In response to the challenges posed by the Ukraine war, countries worldwide, including the U.S., are escalating weapons production, revealing inadequacies in preparedness for a major conventional conflict. Since February 2022, the U.S. has delivered approximately $66 billion in aid to Ukraine, with most of the resources effectively dispatched within the 80% to 90% range.
