$45 billion in support: Denys Shmyhal says 2025 has been the most productive year for Ukraine, speaking at the Ramstein meeting

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal addressed partners during the 32nd Ramstein-format meeting.

He expressed gratitude for the support provided in 2025, making it a record year in terms of assistance. If all commitments are fulfilled, Ukraine will secure $45 billion—more than in any year since the onset of the full-scale war.

Furthermore, in 2025, partners committed to allocating nearly $5 billion to Ukraine’s defense industry and a further $5 billion to the procurement of U.S. weapons for Ukraine. Both figures were record-breaking, and Ukraine aims to maintain similar momentum in 2026, Denys Shmyhal emphasized.

“Ukraine’s overall defense requirements for 2026 total $120 billion. Ukraine is able to cover half of this amount through its own resources. The remaining $60 billion would need to come from partners,” he said.

The Minister of Defence briefed meeting participants on the key support priorities:

• Stable and predictable funding for Ukraine’s defense. Accordingly, he encouraged partners to direct at least 0.25% of GDP toward Ukraine’s defense needs.
• Air defense, as russia continues its aerial terror and Ukraine needs to strengthen its protective capabilities.
• Support for Ukraine’s domestic production of drones and other weapons systems that have proven effective on the battlefield.
• The provision of ammunition, including long-range capabilities.
• The PURL mechanism.

“This key element of cooperation between Europe and the United States should continue to receive funding. Ukraine’s overall requirement for PURL packages in 2026 amounts to $15 billion,” Denys Shmyhal noted.

He further emphasized that Ukraine remains committed to restoring peace.

“However, to achieve this, we must increase pressure on the aggressor, restrict its resources, and expand Ukraine’s defense capabilities. I thank every member of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group for their consistent support. I am grateful to the United Kingdom, Germany, and NATO for their leadership in organizing a productive meeting,” the Minister of Defence of Ukraine added.

At the meeting, partners announced new commitments for the long-term support of Ukraine:

Germany

• €11.5 billion in 2026 to support Ukraine’s defense. Focus areas: air defense, UAVs, and artillery rounds.
• New Patriot and IRIS-T systems have already been supplied to Ukraine.

United Kingdom

• £600 million in 2025 to strengthen Ukraine’s air defense capabilities, financed through frozen russian assets, partner funding, and the UK’s own budget.

Canada

• An additional CAD 30 million allocated for Ukrainian drone capabilities.
• AIM-9 missiles.
• Deliveries of electro-optical sensors and other military assistance.

Netherlands

• €700 million allocated for UAVs, including €400 million for systems manufactured in Ukraine.

Montenegro

• Contributions to PURL and the NSATU fund in preparation.

Denmark

• A new PURL contribution focused on Ukraine’s aviation capabilities.
• Transfer of the 29th support package worth €250 million, including drones, air defense, and support for Ukraine’s aviation.

Estonia

• Continuation of support at a level of at least 0.25% of GDP (€142 million).
• A €9 million contribution to the IT Coalition.

Latvia

• Continuation of support at a level of at least 0.25% of GDP (€110 million), with focus on UAVs, electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, and PURL initiative.

Lithuania

• Over €220 million in military support for Ukraine in 2026, at a level of no less than 0.25% of GDP, including contributions to the PURL initiative, the Patriot program for Ukraine, the “Czech initiative,” and the Demining Capability Coalition.

Luxembourg

• €100 million in 2026 to support Ukraine.
• A second contribution of €15 million to the PURL initiative.

New Zealand

• $15 million to the PURL initiative.

Norway

• Approximately $7 billion in total military assistance in 2026.
• Contributions to support U.S. air defense systems and the “Czech initiative.”

Poland

• Supply of 155-mm artillery shells.
• Implementation of joint projects with Ukraine within the SAFE framework.

Portugal

• A contribution to the “Czech initiative.”
• €10 million for UAVs.

Czechia

• Under the “Czech initiative,” the delivery of 760,000 artillery shells for 2026 has already been funded.