The Ukraine Defense Contact Group has reportedly approved a new American-led model for arming Kyiv, meeting for the first time since U.S. President Donald Trump announced his country would cease direct, free weapons supplies. In a significant development, British Defence Secretary John Healey declared the start of a “50-day campaign” of intensive arms shipments to Ukraine, aimed at strengthening its battlefield position and compelling Russia to enter negotiations.
The virtual ‘Ramstein format’ meeting, gathering defense officials from 52 nations, was convened to address President Trump’s new strategy. This policy pivot includes a 50-day ultimatum for Russia to end the conflict, with the threat of severe tariffs on nations purchasing Russian energy if the deadline is not met. The core of the new plan shifts the burden of aid, requiring NATO allies to purchase U.S. armaments themselves for transfer to Ukraine, or to replace their own donated equipment with American systems.
Despite initial surprise among some allies, the new framework appears to be moving forward. German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed Germany would “make its contribution” to the rapid provision of five Patriot air defense systems to Kyiv, noting he had already discussed the matter with his U.S. counterpart. The specifics of these allied contributions, however, were discussed behind closed doors, with details expected to emerge later.
Underscoring the administration’s new stance that the conflict is primarily a European concern, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth was notably absent from the high-level talks for the second consecutive time. The United States was instead represented by its ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, a move seen as a deliberate signal of Washington’s reduced frontline role in coordinating aid.
Accepting the new reality, Ukrainian Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal formally requested “urgent purchases of American weapons” from the allies, with a particular emphasis on Patriot systems. However, Kyiv also voiced its financial realities, stating it needs $6 billion to cover this year’s military procurement, which it expects the West to provide. Shmyhal’s further call for continued financial support into next year suggests that Ukraine does not believe Trump’s 50-day ultimatum will definitively end the war.