Zelenskyy to join Ramstein military support summit in Germany

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed on Saturday that he will attend an international summit in Germany next week, where the focus will be on reinforcing military support for Ukraine. The meeting, set for October 12 at the U.S. air base in Ramstein, near Frankfurt, is expected to gather representatives from over 50 allied nations, including U.S. President Joe Biden.

“This will be the 25th Ramstein meeting, and for the first time, it will take place at the leaders’ level,” Zelenskyy announced on social media. The Ukrainian leader plans to present what he described as “clear, concrete steps towards a just end of the war.” He highlighted that Ukraine’s progress in defending itself depends on the resolve of its international allies, as well as their efforts to continue strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities.

The meeting holds significant weight for Ukraine as it faces ongoing Russian offensives in the east, with Ukrainian forces grappling against a well-armed and numerically superior adversary. The timing of the summit also coincides with rising uncertainty ahead of the U.S. presidential election, a pivotal event for Ukraine, given its reliance on American military and financial aid. Former President Donald Trump, a contender in the upcoming election, has previously questioned the extensive U.S. support to Ukraine and has voiced views that align with Russian arguments on the conflict.

Zelenskyy has made repeated calls for additional weapons, including long-range systems that could allow Ukraine to strike military targets inside Russia. Such an escalation would require approval from Western backers, as Ukraine pushes to level the playing field against the advancing Russian troops.

In September, Zelenskyy attended the previous Ramstein meeting, where he sought further military aid to repel Russia’s forces. His message remained consistent: the war can only be won with a committed and well-coordinated international response.

In a separate address on Saturday, Zelenskyy reiterated his goal for “lasting peace and security,” asserting that any resolution to the conflict must adhere to international law and respect Ukraine’s sovereignty without territorial concessions. He also pointed to recent long-range drone strikes on Russian military sites as evidence of Ukraine’s growing capability when adequately supplied with advanced weapons.

“We are showing what we can achieve with sufficient weapons and range,” Zelenskyy said, stressing that while Ukrainian drones have played a key role, they alone are insufficient. “More decisive steps are needed to bring the end of this war closer,” he added, underlining the need for stronger military backing from Ukraine’s allies.