The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, known as the Ramstein format, will convene at NATO headquarters on 4 June, the Alliance’s press service announced.

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group was established on US initiative in April 2022. Three years ago, Ukraine’s allies first gathered in this format at Ramstein Air Base. At that time, the Contact Group brought together 40 countries, including NATO and EU members and their international partners, to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

According to the press service, the United Kingdom and Germany will convene the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at NATO headquarters next week.

The previous Ramstein format meeting took place on 11 April in Brussels. It was also convened by the United Kingdom and Germany.

Following changes in the US administration, Ramstein continues to operate under British and German leadership, while the US remains an important participant in the Contact Group. Previous Ramstein meetings under the Joe Biden administration, beginning in 2022, were chaired by the United States.

At the 11 April meeting, Germany and other countries created an “electronic warfare coalition” for Ukraine.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addressed Ramstein participants from Kryvyi Rih, calling for the provision of 10 Patriot systems. The Russian missile strike on Kryvyi Rih on 4 April was the deadliest single attack on children in Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s all-out war.

The day after the Ramstein meeting, on 5 June, NATO defense ministers will meet at the Alliance’s headquarters to prepare for the bloc’s leaders’ summit in The Hague in June.