Washington and Berlin pledged more aid for Ukraine as allies of the embattled nation gathered with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky at the US military's Ramstein Air Base in Germany on Thursday to discuss aid.

Participants at the upcoming 25th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on 9 January will aim to define Ukraine's defence capabilities to support a deterrent force until 2027.

The next meeting in the Ramstein format may take place as early as February. Partner countries have already agreed on this meeting, announces Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, according to Radio Svoboda.

As US secretary of defence Lloyd Austin heads to Ramstein Air Base for the final time, Emma Nelson explores what the future of the country’s support

According to Umerov, Kyiv wants the United States to "remain and strengthen its presence" during future Ramstein meetings. “We have already noted that we are planning the next Ramstein meeting for February,

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he will attend the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format, in Germany on 9 January. Source: Zelenskyy's evening speech Quote: "Tomorrow,

The allies agreed on plans to support Ukraine within the Ramstein format. They include steps to develop Ukraine's defense capabilities until 2027, reports the US Department of Defense. The United States has published a joint statement by the leaders of eight coalitions within the framework of the Ramstein meeting.

"This may be the last meeting of this type, as the new administration is likely to propose a different format for these activities," Kosiniak-Kamysz said. He also noted that NATO should "take on more responsibility,