Ukraine calls on NATO to accelerate efforts to strengthen air and missile defence ahead of Ramstein-format meeting

An extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Permanent Representatives was held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

The meeting focused on strengthening Ukraine’s air and missile defence capabilities. Ukraine convened it ahead of the next Ramstein-format meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG).

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte chaired the meeting.

Current air threats and Ukraine’s needs

Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for European Integration Sergiy Boyev, together with Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Brigadier General Serhii Sobko, presented allies with a detailed assessment of current air threats.

“It is important to focus on helping Ukraine here and now. Right now, timeliness is more important than volume. Drones and air defence systems will determine the course of this winter and whether Ukraine emerges from it weaker or stronger,” said Sergiy Boyev, Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine for European Integration.

The Ukrainian side provided a list of priority and urgent requirements for air and missile defence systems.

Assistance needed right now

Following the meeting, Ukraine called on the Allies to move from what is politically possible to what is operationally necessary. This means rapidly providing additional air and missile defence capabilities that are directly linked to protecting Ukrainian lives.

Ukraine also called on partners to mobilize by the end of the year the resources needed to meet NATO’s stated level of EUR 70 billion in military support for Ukraine.

Strengthening Ukraine means strengthening Alliance security

The Ukrainian side also emphasized that strengthening Ukraine’s air defence serves the Alliance’s own security interests.

“A russian drone or missile destroyed over Ukraine will never reach a NATO country. Likewise, a russian service member killed in Ukraine will never reach Alliance territory,” Alyona Getmanchuk, Head of the Mission of Ukraine to NATO.

Strengthening Ukraine’s air and missile defence will remain a key focus for the Allies at the next Ramstein-format meeting, scheduled for September 8.