Defence minister outlines Ukraine’s priorities ahead of Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting

Ukraine is heading into the next Ramstein-format meeting with two immediate priorities: more air defence systems and additional funding for its defence forces. Defence Minister Yevhenii Khmara discussed those needs in a phone call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Khmara stressed that partner support in both areas would be central to the meeting. He called for consolidated backing from Ukraine’s partners, particularly on air defence and defence financing, and said Ukraine was counting on continued unity and swift decisions.

The minister also highlighted the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, programme. The initiative helps ensure that critical weapons reach Ukraine’s defence forces.

Khmara separately spoke with German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius about preparations for next week’s meeting. The previous Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting took place on June 18 at NATO headquarters in Brussels, with the United Kingdom and Germany serving as co-chairs. After that meeting, Pistorius announced the delivery of a three-digit number of air-to-air missiles from German stocks, along with joint production of ground robotic systems.