U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has announced a new $500 million military aid package as part of the outgoing Biden administration’s efforts to send as much support as possible before the incoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump.
The package includes “additional missiles for Ukraine’s air defense, more ammunition, more air-to-ground equipment, and other gear to support Ukraine’s F-16s,” Austin stated.
Austin made the announcement during a meeting with the Contact Group at the U.S. Air Base in Ramstein, Germany. The group, comprising about 50 partner nations, was convened by the U.S. Secretary of Defense to coordinate arms support for Ukraine several months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who was also present at the meeting, urged European countries to rally around Kyiv should U.S. support weaken under the new administration in the White House.
“It’s clear that a new chapter is beginning for Europe and the entire world—just 11 days from now, a time when we must cooperate even more, support one another even more, and achieve even greater results together. I see this as a time of opportunities,” he said.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, also at Ramstein, expressed expectations that defense coalition leaders would approve a “roadmap” for strategic objectives and key needs for military aid through at least the end of 2027.
“These documents, developed and agreed upon together by Ukraine and its partners, will form the basis for support and the allocation of assistance in areas such as air defense, artillery, armored vehicles, drones, air forces, maritime security, and other critical fields. There is much work ahead,” Umerov added after his meeting with Secretary Austin.
The Ramstein meeting took place a day after Ukraine suffered one of its heaviest casualties in recent weeks from an attack in the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, which killed 13 civilians. Authorities believe the attack was carried out by Russia using guided glide bombs on an industrial facility.
Earlier on January 8, Ukraine claimed that its forces struck an oil depot in Russia’s southern Saratov region, which served as an airbase. The Ukrainian General Staff stated that the attack created significant logistical issues for Russian aviation, substantially reducing its ability to strike Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure.
Members of the Contact Group have said that the January 9 meeting could be the last, as its future remains uncertain under a potential Trump administration.
The outgoing U.S. administration has worked to send as much assistance as possible to Ukraine before Trump assumes office on January 20, in an effort to strengthen Kyiv’s negotiating position. Trump, who has repeatedly criticized U.S. aid to Kyiv, has claimed that he could quickly negotiate an end to the war once he returns to office.
This has raised concerns in Ukraine that any rushed negotiations would be used by Russia to retain the Ukrainian territories it has occupied and allow its troops to rest and rearm.
Austin has emphasized the importance of the Contact Group continuing to provide military assistance, while German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has also warned against weakening Western support for Ukraine.
