Zelenskyy Appeals for Increased Military Aid at Ramstein, as U.S. Pledges $250 Million in Support

RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany—Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a direct appeal to U.S. military leaders and representatives from over 50 allied nations at a high-stakes meeting in Germany on Friday, urging an expanded supply of weapons to support Ukraine’s defense against Russia. His visit came as the United States committed an additional $250 million in military aid to Kyiv.

This marked Zelenskyy’s first visit to the Ramstein Air Base for these talks, which have become a critical venue for coordinating international support for Ukraine. The Ukrainian leader emphasized the need for long-range weapons to strike within Russian territory, a request the U.S. has been hesitant to approve due to fears of escalating the war further.

Zelenskyy, speaking to the assembled military officials, asserted that allowing Ukrainian forces to target Russian cities and infrastructure would pressure Moscow into seeking peace. “We need to make Russian cities and even Russian soldiers think about what they need: peace or Putin,” he said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged the importance of the meeting, which comes at a pivotal time in Ukraine’s counteroffensive operations. Austin underscored the ongoing battles in key regions, such as Pokrovsk in the Donbas, which are vital for maintaining Ukrainian supply lines. He warned of the continued threat posed by Russian forces, particularly as Moscow intensifies its assault on critical cities.

Recent Ukrainian advances in Russia’s Kursk region, where Zelenskyy claims Ukrainian forces have captured 1,300 square kilometers of territory, have forced Russia onto the defensive. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin remains focused on taking strategic points within Ukraine, such as Pokrovsk, which would significantly impact Ukraine’s logistics if lost.

Zelenskyy also expressed concerns about the delayed delivery of promised air defense systems and reiterated Ukraine’s need for advanced capabilities to defend against Russian airstrikes. The discussions in Germany also included efforts to equip Ukraine’s newly received F-16 fighter jets with enhanced air-to-ground missile capabilities, such as the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM), which could provide Ukraine with a longer-range strike option. However, no decision has been made on whether to supply these munitions.

Since the war began, the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, including the U.S. and dozens of partner nations, has provided Ukraine with over $106 billion in military assistance. Of this, the U.S. has contributed more than $56 billion. The latest package underscores ongoing efforts to ensure Ukraine maintains its defensive posture as the conflict grinds.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany was also scheduled to meet Zelenskyy later, signaling continued European support for Ukraine’s cause.

This report was compiled using information from the Associated Press.