In brief
In an urgent meeting at Ramstein Air Base, President Zelensky of Ukraine appealed to representatives from around 50 nations to sustain their military assistance amidst the ongoing war with Russia. His comments come just days before the expected inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump, who has expressed skepticism regarding future aid to Ukraine. Zelensky characterized this period as pivotal, urging allies not to "drop the ball now," and stressed that achieving further collaboration is crucial in this "new chapter" for Europe and the world.
During the Ukraine Defense Contact Group's 25th meeting, Zelensky expressed optimism about the progress made over the nearly three-year conflict, asserting, “We’ve come such a long way that it would honestly be crazy to drop the ball now.” This gathering, consisting of representatives from 53 nations, focused on reinforcing defense coalitions and ensuring continued military support for Ukraine as it resists Russian invasions.The meeting also marked the announcement of a new $500 million military aid package from U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin, which reflects the Biden administration's ongoing commitment to assist Ukraine even as the political landscape shifts with the transitioning U.S. leadership.
