German opposition says "decisive phase of war" has come and urges government to "get a move on"

A representative of the German opposition has urged the government to increase support for Ukraine ahead of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting at the US Air Force base in Ramstein, emphasising that the war is in a decisive phase.

"We must go to Ramstein with commitments, not with promises of hope," Johann Wadephul, defence spokesperson from the CDU/CSU faction, said, as quoted by n-tv.

He urged the federal government to "get a move on" and provide further assistance to Kyiv.

Wadephul noted that "we are in a decisive phase of the war", so Ukraine cannot afford a "lull".

He also stressed that the United States cannot make further commitments because of the election campaign.

"That is why Europe, and therefore Germany, is even more important," the CDU/CSU politician concluded.

The 24th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format, will take place on 6 September at the US Air Force base of the same name in Germany.

This is the first Ramstein-format meeting since 13 June. The last meeting focused on ways to strengthen Ukraine's air defence.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will reportedly attend the meeting in person.