↑ Argentine is to be marked. It joined UDCG on 13 June 2024.[1] Sources confirm continued Argentine presence at all subsequent meetings up to the 29th session on July 21, 2025.
↑ The purpose of each coalition is to “create a greater and more coherent plan, which will further the options for future support and co-funding”. Oversight is provided by the Capability Coalition Leadership Group.
↑ National Armaments Directors (NADs) Working Groups, active since the September 2022 Brussels meeting, are Innovation, Production, Sustainment, and Ukraine Defense Industrial Base Support.
1 2 As of August2025[update], participation list is based on a country's representation in at least one meeting of the group. As per UDCG practice, member states (once admitted and formally welcomed) are considered "participants" unless specified otherwise.
↑ Before 2025, IDCC (International Donor Coordination Centre), of more then 50 countries, under UK Brigadier command, since 2025 having handed over its responsibilities to NSATU, was UDCG ally.[3]:37 Table 14[4]:44 Table 10 The 21 July 2025 UDCG extended meeting outlined joint NSATU–SAG-U efforts in the Ukraine response. EUMAM UA–NSATU coordination includes sharing information on Ukraine's training requirements and end-of-training reports.
September9,2025(2025-09-09) /October15,2025(2025-10-15)[19] September23,2025(2025-09-23)(80th UNGA session)[20] October 11/12, 2025[21] October17,2025(2025-10-17)(their third summit in STP)[22] October25,2025(2025-10-25)[23]
↑ Initial three 2025 meetings in Istanbul since 29 March 2022 (first round of Russia-Ukraine Istanbul talks): the first held on 16 May, and second on 2 June.[11]
↑ First meeting co- chaired by DE&FR&GB: Germany (in situ with Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine), France (in situ with Antonio Costa, president of the European Council), and the UK, attending on-line with other nations leaders, US vice-president JD Vance.[12] Japan formally joined coalition by participating in its meeting for the first time.
↑ On 17 and 19 August virtually co-chaired by France and the UK with others attending on-line.[13][14]
↑ Second US-Ukraine summit during second Trump presidency. In a separate session, it was joined by one of EU leaders, and 5 heads of member states of NATO with its Secretary General.[15]
↑ Here’s a snapshot of the current NSATU–SAG-U joint efforts that were confirmed at the 21 July 2025 UDCG extended meeting:
US–NATO co‑funding mechanism (new channel announced by US president Donald Trump and Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte for European and Canadian allies to pool funds to purchase US‑made weapons and technology for Ukraine providing faster access to high‑demand systems);
Air defense boost (packages of Patriot missile systems and other advanced air‑defense assets pledged by allies to counter Russia’s intensified missile and drone strikes);
Industrial and financial backing (long‑term funding streams to expand defense production capacity in Europe and North America to replenish stocks while sustaining Ukraine’s needs over multiple years).
↑ The 21 July 2025 UDCG extended meeting outlined joint NSATU–SAG-U efforts in the Ukraine response. EUMAM UA–NSATU coordination includes sharing information on Ukraine's training requirements and end-of-training reports.[24]
The Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG, also known as the Ramstein group[25]) is an alliance of 57 countries (all 32 member states of NATO and 25 other countries) and the European Union supporting the defence of Ukraine by sending military equipment in response to the 2022 Russian invasion.[26] The group coordinates the ongoing donation of military aid at monthly meetings.[27] A first meeting took place between 41 countries on 26 April 2022, and the coalition comprised 54 countries at the time of the 14 February 2023 meeting.[28]As of November2023[update], reports of meetings usually stated "more than 50" or "about 50" members.[29]
Following the initial formation - after direct orders from Secretary Austin - Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Dr. William LaPlante, was tasked with organizing and regularly convening the forum of National Armaments Directors (NADs) under UDCG auspices. The purpose was to rapidly accelerate and synchronize delivery, production, and sustainment of vital military capabilities.[30] As UDCG is not a treaty-based entity, membership status is conferred by representation at group meetings. As of September2025[update], Argentina was the latest country that joined UDCG.[1]
Meetings
Inaugural Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting on 26 April 2022
At the 20 January 2023 meeting at Ramstein Air Base, leading to the group thereafter being referred to as the "Ramstein Group", the alliance supported sending heavy offensive weaponry to Ukraine, in support of a planned spring offensive.[31][32] The possible transfer of German-made Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Poland was a sticking point at the January 2023 meeting and in bilateral discussions following this.[33] Germany continued to delay Leopard tank exports until 25 January 2023 when it announced it would provide 14 of its own Leopard 2A6 tanks in tandem with the United States providing 31 M1 Abrams tanks.[34] By 25 February, 71 Leopard 2 tanks had been formally committed for delivery to Ukraine from Germany (18), Portugal (3), Sweden (10), Poland (14), Spain (10), Norway (8), and Canada (8); the first four arrived in Ukraine on 24 February. Additionally, a joint German-Danish-Dutch initiative was announced on 7 February to supply 100–178 Leopard 1A5 tanks from FFG and Rheinmetall stocks.[35]
At the 14 February conference, the main topic of discussion was the transfer of modern fighter jets to Ukraine.[36] The two subsequent meetings included considering how to finance an increase in industrial capacity to sustainably replace ammunition and equipment sent to Ukraine into the future.[37]
The 11 October 2023 meeting took place after the Gaza war had started. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy attended, and was given assurances military aid would be sustained, although Zelenskyy acknowledged there was uncertainty. Zelenskyy emphasised the need for winter air defence.[38]NBC News later reported that officials at the meeting had begun confidential and delicate talks with the Ukrainian officials about what the broad outlines of possible peace negotiations might entail, according to two U.S. participants.[39]
The 23 January 2024 meeting concluded without any US funding, only from France, and Germany in the face of obstacles to funding in the US Congress.[40][41]
There were plans for a leaders level meeting of the "Ramstein Group" on 12 October 2024, this meeting was postponed after US presidentJoe Biden cancelled his participation in order to oversee the response to Hurricane Milton.[42][43]
U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth delivering opening remarks during the 26th UDCG meeting, 2025
At the first meeting after US president Donald Trump was inaugurated, on 12 February 2025, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders was "an unrealistic objective" in any peace agreement, adding that any attempt to regain all of the territory "will only prolong the war and cause more suffering". He said that president Trump does not support membership of NATO for Ukraine in a peace agreement, and expects Europe to provide more financial and military assistance for Ukraine, while the US concentrates on its own security and the challenge of China; no US troops will be deployed to Ukraine.[44]
Israel (provided anti-drone systems, counter-drone intelligence, and non-lethal aid such as helmets, flak jackets, etc.)[83][84] Israel has been unwilling to provide Ukraine with weapons.[85]
Jordan (provided rocket launchers and air defense missiles)
US official fact sheets and reportage indicate $5.3 billion invested in domestic defense production since early 2022, with specific reference to 155mm projectiles and propelling charges, GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) missiles, Javelin anti-tank weapons, PAC-3 MSE interceptors, AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, and HIMARS, among others.[86] The reported capacity jumps - e.g., 155mm shells from 14,400 to 40,000 per month - are accurately reflected in both DoD data and independent defense analytics reporting.[87]
Multinational expansion
Efforts to expand production beyond the US included France and Sweden’s plans to double ammunition and explosives capacity by 2025, and increase powder capacity by 10 times by 2026.[88][87] Other expansions (factories in Germany, Romania, etc.; 700,000 shell and 10,000t powder/year goals; ASAP targets for 2 million shells by 2025) are also confirmed.[30]
Industry partnerships
US-Ukraine and international-Ukraine partnerships - including Northrop Grumman’s in-country production line, Amentum’s joint armored vehicle ventures, and the involvement of KNDS and Rheinmetall - are disclosed by both the U.S. DoD and the contractors themselves.[89][90]
Activities and achievements
Notable deliveries and initiatives
Documentation from the DoD Fact Sheet and major news outlets provide explicit confirmation for the following:
delivery of VAMPIRE counter-unmanned aerial systems, "FrankenSAM" conversions, T-72 tanks (joint U.S.-Dutch project), NASAMS, air-to-ground munitions for F-16s, 3D printers for field repair/logistics, and tele-maintenance efforts;
establishment of joint sustainment frameworks, technical manual translation, and innovation-driven working group outputs in areas such as counter-UAS, maritime mine countermeasures, and rapid deployment manufacturing.[30]
NATO plans to invite Ukraine as a member into a new organization, the NATO–Ukraine Council.This organization was announced at NATO's July 2023 summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.[91]
The inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council happened on 12 July 2023 at the NATO's 2023 Vilnius Summit. The Council met at the level of Heads of State and Government, including the participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.[92]
1 2 DW News (11 October 2023). "Pro-Ukraine alliance pledges more military aid". DW News. Archived from the original on 1 January 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2024. The UDCG includes all 31 NATO member states alongside 23 further nations in support of Ukraine such as Australia, Japan, Pakistan, Kenya and Cambodia
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