Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will depart Washington, D.C., today to travel to Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where he will host the 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) on January 9.
The UDCG, convened by Secretary Austin since its inception in April 2022, has been instrumental in coordinating international support to assist Ukraine in defending its sovereignty against Russia’s unprovoked aggression. This meeting will mark the 25th gathering of this coalition of some 50 nations, united in their commitment to assist Ukraine.
At this milestone meeting, Secretary Austin will engage with defense ministers and senior military officials from around the world to discuss Ukraine's immediate battlefield needs, longer-term defense requirements, and the important coordination being conducted through the capability coalitions. The meeting will focus on the need to ensure continued delivery of key capabilities including air defense systems, artillery munitions, and armored vehicles, as well as efforts to enhance the defense industrial base.