The next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, known as the Ramstein format, is scheduled to take place on June 18 in Brussels, according to reports citing informed sources.
The upcoming gathering will bring together defense officials from Ukraine and allied countries to discuss ongoing military support and strategic coordination as the war continues.
The meeting is set to be held shortly before the NATO defense ministers’ meeting, which is also scheduled to take place in Brussels. The timing highlights the close coordination between NATO structures and the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.
The Ramstein format has become a key international platform for coordinating military assistance to Ukraine since its establishment following Russia’s full-scale invasion. It includes the United States, NATO members, and other partner countries that provide defense support.
Ukraine’s defense leadership has already outlined the main priorities for the upcoming talks. According to Ukrainian officials, the focus will remain on strengthening air defense systems, supporting frontline forces, and expanding technological cooperation with international partners.
These priorities reflect Ukraine’s ongoing military needs, particularly in countering air strikes and maintaining defensive positions along active front lines.
The previous Ramstein meeting took place on April 15 in Berlin. That session included defense ministers from NATO member states, as well as senior officials from Ukraine and allied nations.
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, UK Defense Secretary John Healey, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte attended in person, while other participants joined virtually.
Following that meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said allies reaffirmed their continued support for Ukraine. He also noted that additional contributions were made to defense assistance programs, including the PURL initiative.
Zelenskyy described the outcome as a sign of sustained international backing for Ukraine’s defense efforts. He emphasized the importance of continued coordination among partner nations.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also stressed the need for increased defense spending among countries supporting Ukraine. He said that allies must expand funding commitments to ensure long-term military assistance.
Rutte previously stated that supporting countries would need to contribute significantly more resources, including an estimated $60 billion in defense aid over the course of the year, in addition to EU funding mechanisms.
The Ramstein meetings have become a central forum for aligning military assistance, discussing weapons supplies, and coordinating long-term defense planning for Ukraine.
Beyond battlefield support, recent discussions have also focused on protecting critical infrastructure, including Ukraine’s railway system. Ukrainian officials have raised concerns about repeated attacks on civilian transport networks.
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba has warned that Russian forces are increasingly targeting railway infrastructure, particularly in regions such as Chernihiv and Sumy.
In recent incidents, Russian drone strikes hit commuter trains in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and damaged passenger services in the Mykolaiv region. While some attacks caused injuries to railway workers, passenger casualties were reportedly avoided.
Ukrainian authorities have described these strikes as deliberate attempts to disrupt civilian transport and logistics networks. The government has called for additional international support to strengthen infrastructure protection.
Amid these developments, Ukraine has also called for enhanced cooperation in what officials have described as a “railway Ramstein,” referring to a coordinated effort to protect and rebuild transport systems under wartime conditions.
The upcoming meeting in Brussels is expected to continue discussions on these issues, alongside broader military aid coordination.
As the conflict continues, the Ramstein format remains one of the most important channels for maintaining sustained international support for Ukraine’s defense capabilities and long-term security needs.
The June 18 meeting is expected to further clarify commitments from partner nations as Ukraine continues to rely on coordinated military assistance from allied governments.
