Syrsky at Ramstein: We still have critical shortage of air defense systems, missiles, long-range weapons and artillery shells

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky at the 29th meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine (in the Ramstein format) called on partners and allies from more than 50 countries to increase military assistance to Ukraine.

"We must save the lives of our civilians and our soldiers. To do this, I must once again call for increased aid to Ukraine. We still critically lack air defense systems and missiles for them, long-range weapons, artillery shells, armored vehicles, evacuation equipment, electronic warfare systems, radars, unmanned systems, and more," he said at a meeting in the Rammstein format.

Syrsky also added that he considers it important to “rely more on each other in order to achieve greater results together.”

"Only through joint efforts will we stop Russian aggression here and now, thereby making a real contribution to history and achieving collective security for the countries of Europe and the world," the commander-in-chief emphasized.

He also assured his allies that, through joint efforts, side by side with Ukrainian soldiers, the West is protecting Ukrainian soil from the aggressor and at the same time defending the democratic values and security of Europe.

"I will be frank: without weapons, financial assistance, training of our defenders, humanitarian projects and our comprehensive support that you provide to Ukraine, it would be a thousand times more difficult for us to overcome Russia's brutal aggression," the commander-in-chief noted.

The 29th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defence (Ramstein format) is taking place online on Monday 21 July, led by the UK and Germany.

More than 50 partners of Ukraine have joined the meeting, including the NATO Secretary General, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and the US Secretary of Defense, as well as dozens of Alliance countries and partners.

Ukraine is represented by Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, who is participating in Rammstein for the first time. Next to him is the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, who until recently was the Minister of Defense of Ukraine. Also present are the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky and the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Andriy Hnatov.