The White House has rescheduled the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting to November in a virtual setting after President Biden’s cancellation of foreign trips due to domestic weather emergencies. The decision followed a call between Biden and Ukrainian President Zelensky discussing $425 million in new security assistance.
Initially planned in Germany, the meeting was postponed due to Hurricane Milton. The group comprises over 50 countries including NATO members and convenes at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base. The upcoming virtual meeting will be the first leader-level one, aiming to discuss Ukraine’s five-point victory plan including NATO membership, defense, deterrence of Russian aggression, economic growth, and post-war security.
Before the postponement, there were speculations of offering concrete steps regarding Ukraine’s NATO membership. However, U.S. Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith stated no immediate plans for Ukraine’s invitation. The meeting will focus on crucial discussions about security aid, long-range weapons, and Ukraine’s strategic plans for the future.
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