Deputy PM Bausch Addresses Ukraine Defence Meeting in Ramstein

On Tuesday 26 April 2022, Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, François Bausch, took part in the Ukraine Defence Consultative Group Meeting, bringing together some 40 countries at the invitation of the United States (US) Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, in Ramstein, Germany.

During the meeting, the US Secretary of Defence took stock of his trip to Ukraine and gave his impressions of the situation in Ukraine. He stressed the imminent need for additional arms deliveries to Ukraine in order to repel the Russian invasion.

Ukraine's Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov thanked all the countries that supported his country in the fight against the Russian aggressor through the supply of weapons and financial means. Minister Reznikov also provided an update on the current situation and capabilities and called for generating additional capabilities to enable the Ukrainian Armed Forces to deal with Russian aggressors. Participants then turned to Ukraine’s long-term support needs.

In his speech, Minister Bausch thanked the US for the substantial aid they have provided to Ukraine and which also constitutes a guarantee for the maintenance of peace in Europe. He pointed out that Luxembourg has already provided equipment to Ukraine worth 10% of its defence budget. The Minister of Defence also underlined the importance of coordinating the delivery of equipment between the various donor countries in order to best support Ukraine. 

“Luxembourg undertakes to undertake all possible efforts to continue to support Ukraine and its people in their fight for freedom and democracy", said Minister Bausch, who assured that his teams continue to work on the acquisition of additional equipment. "It's not just about helping Ukraine in the war against Russia and pushing the Russian aggressor back beyond Ukraine's borders, it's also about preserving our values ​​of democracy and freedom as well as peace in Europe," said the Deputy Prime Minister.