Germany and the UK have taken a prominent leadership role in rallying support for Ukraine, co-chairing the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein group) for the first time on Friday at NATO headquarters in Brussels. This shift comes as the U.S., under Donald Trump’s current leadership, has stepped back from chairing the group amid ongoing diplomatic efforts with Russia.
German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and British Defence Secretary John Healey both delivered strong messages of long-term support for Ukraine. Pistorius stated bluntly that peace in Ukraine remains elusive due to Russia’s continued aggression, while Healey called 2025 a “critical moment” in the war, reaffirming that the West would stand by Ukraine not just through the conflict, but also in the eventual peace process.
Meanwhile, as these statements were being made, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff was in Russia for another round of talks with Vladimir Putin — his third visit this year. This dual-track approach — European military resolve on one side, and U.S. diplomatic engagement on the other — paints a complex picture of how the West is navigating its strategy in dealing with the war.
The backdrop here is increasingly layered:
- The Ramstein group was originally created by the Biden administration to centralize military aid coordination for Ukraine.
- Trump’s current team, while pushing for a ceasefire and deeper diplomacy, has made future U.S. military aid to Ukraine less certain, prompting Europe to step up.
- Despite this, the messaging from NATO allies remains firm: Russia should not expect Ukraine to run out of support.
Want a quick summary of how all this might shift the dynamics going forward?