Ukraine negotiates with Greece, Cyprus, Spain, Romania ahead of Ramstein group meeting

"Ahead of the Ramstein group meeting, which will be a milestone because this format of the anti-Kremlin coalition turns one year old, we had a very intensive period in terms of international contacts. In 10 days, our team visited Athens, Nicosia, Madrid, and Bucharest. We had fruitful meetings with my colleagues – Minister of Defense of Greece Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos, Minister of Defense of Cyprus Michalis Georgallas, Minister of Defense of Spain Margarita Robles, Minister of Defense of Romania Angel Tîlvăr and their teams," Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksii Reznikov posted on Facebook.

The purpose of the meetings is weapons and other forms of support that strengthen the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the minister noted.

Reznikov emphasized that during the visits, the Ministry of Defense team meets with leaders of government agencies, manufacturers, and the media to gain as wide a circle of support as possible. "Our priorities are known: protecting the sky, creating an ‘armored fist’, ensuring ammunition," he added.

According to the defense minister, the team is working on different tracks. Ukraine is interested in both Soviet-style platforms and, especially, missiles and rounds, because these weapons immediately end up on the battlefield, as well as Western-made systems that provide qualitative advantages.

"We attract help, agree on production, work out training programs for our soldiers. Such visits and meetings at the political level are very useful because they not only help to maintain a high overall pace but also contribute to the quick resolution of many practical issues which would take weeks in remote mode," Reznikov emphasized.

According to him, time is crucial to Ukraine because it means the saved lives of Ukrainian defenders and the protection of cities.

As reported, the next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group will be held at the U.S. Air Force Base "Ramstein" (Germany) on April 21.