The Pentagon named the key topic of the next meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defence (Ramstein format) on 23 January – attention will be focused on Ukraine's long-term needs.

As reported by AP, the meeting will occur when the US is out of money and unable to send the ammunition and missiles Ukraine needs to fight Russia, as the decision on the aid package is still pending in Congress.

Sabrina Singh, US Defence Department spokesperson, stressed that the United States will hope for help from other allies for Ukraine. 

"Even though we aren’t able to provide our security assistance right now, our partners are continuing to do that," Singh said.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will head the meeting of the Contact Group for the Defence of Ukraine on 23 January together with Charles Brown, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US, but will participate in it from home.

The last meeting in the Ramstein format happened in November 2023; it was held in a virtual format. It was followed by the creation of a number of new coalitions to support Ukraine's defence capabilities, including the development of air defence, drones, naval and air forces.