Overview

• The 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) is scheduled for January 9 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, led by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
• The meeting will address coordinated international military aid to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses and overall defense capabilities against Russian aggression.
• The Biden administration recently announced nearly $2.5 billion in additional aid packages for Ukraine, including artillery, rockets, and armored vehicles, as part of its final efforts before the presidential transition.
• Uncertainty surrounds the future of U.S. support for Ukraine under President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to end the war quickly but has not detailed his approach.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for enhanced air defense systems and continued Western support to counter ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.