The 19th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also referred to as the Ramstein group, is underway today, attended for the first time by Oleksandr Syrskyi, the new Commander-in-Chief of Ukraine's Armed Forces.

"I introduced our partners to Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi. This is the first meeting in the Ramstein format as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for him. Together with Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi and the DI Head Budanov, we expect to have a productive meeting," Ukraine’s Defence Minister Rustem Umierov wrote on Twitter (X).

We have started the 19th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group.

Introduced to our partners to Colonel-General Oleksandr Syrskyi. This is the first meeting in the Ramstein format as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces for him.

Together with the Commander-in-Chief… pic.twitter.com/zI3OUU7xQB

— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) February 14, 2024

Umierov said the meeting would be focused on increasing defence production, specifically drones, and the development of technologies, in addition to preparing for both immediate needs and long-term challenges.

The meeting in Brussels which Ukraine's representatives are attending is taking place concurrently with an online meeting of NATO defence ministers.

Lloyd Austin, the head of the Pentagon, did not fly to the Alliance's headquarters due to health problems. The US Defense Secretary was admitted to intensive care on Sunday.