Five “capability coalitions” have already been formed by the allies within the framework of Ramstein, said Colonel Hennadiy Kovalenko, acting director of the Department of International Defense Cooperation of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

“The creation of capability coalitions, that is, coalitions of capabilities, was announced. Currently there are five of them: aviation, air defense, tank, artillery and maritime security coalition. Each of these five coalitions, strategic coalitions, is led by one or two states. Each coalition includes from 5 to 20 other countries,” Kovalenko said at a briefing on Thursday.

He emphasized that the Ramstein format “is actually project management, only at a more strategic level.” Kovalenko also noted that the department monitors and controls the provision of assistance from partners.

In turn, the head of the press and information department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, Ilarion Pavliuk, explained that the Ramstein format does not engage in assessments and discussions of the Ukrainian counter-offensive. “This is about what Ukraine needs,” he explained.

As reported, on November 22, the 17th meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine (Ramstein format) took place online. In particular, before the meeting, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced that members of the Contact Group would discuss progress in developing a new Ramstein coalition for ground-based air defense. The leaders in this coalition are Germany and France.

The first meeting in the Ramstein format took place on April 26, 2022 at the initiative of the United States in Germany with the participation of 40 countries.

As of today, there are 54 countries within the Ramstein format, as well as the EU and NATO.