The meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the "Ramstein" format, which took place on January 9 and marked the 25th gathering since the first meeting on April 26, 2022, was described by Ukraine's Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov as one of the most significant to date. Meanwhile, just a day prior, his Polish counterpart Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz suggested that it would likely be the last meeting.
This assumption was made against the backdrop of the unpredictable decisions of Donald Trump, who, just ten days before his inauguration, had already spoken about the potential annexation of Canada (reminiscent of how the USA had prepared for such actions in the 20th century), the annexation of Greenland, and an invasion of Panama, effectively for the second time in the last 35 years.
Ultimately, if the new U.S. president not only reduces or halts assistance to Ukraine but also withdraws or simply formalizes participation in NATO, there would be little sense in gathering at an American airbase.
However, everything currently indicates that the "Ramstein" format will continue. Even the pessimistically inclined Kosiniak-Kamysz stated after the meeting that the defense ministers would convene again after the change of U.S. presidential administration. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky also directly announced that this would happen in February.
A quality marker for long-term engagement is the approval of roadmaps through 2027 for the main areas of arms supply and support for Ukraine's defense capabilities. Additionally, prospects for the current year in terms of support were outlined, with separate bilateral meetings held with the USA, Norway, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Moreover, the main strategy for Ukraine for 2025, according to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, has been clearly and comprehensively defined. This includes stabilizing the front, strengthening defense capabilities, enhancing air and maritime security, as well as providing an asymmetric response to the aggressor's attempts to gain an advantage through scale.