Zelenskyy announces "defensive fruits" next week

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy made the announcement in his evening address.

"Not everything can be announced in public – what is being talked about in Ramstein. It is a closed-door discussion – and it should be. But in general, we can conclude that today's Ramstein will strengthen our resilience," he said.

Zelenskyy added that the partners promised to support Ukraine as long as necessary for its victory. He noted that the decision to provide Ukraine with tanks was not made at the meeting. "Yes, we will still have to fight for the supply of modern tanks, but every day we make it more obvious there is no alternative to making the decision on tanks," the president added.

He also emphasized that every agreement with partners should be implemented as quickly as possible to make it effective for Ukraine's defense. He also thanked all the partners who joined Ramstein and supported Ukraine. He also announced good defense news for the next week.

"The next week, for which we are already preparing, should also bring its defensive fruits," Zelenskyy announced.

For reference: Ukraine Defense Contact Group, or the Ramstein platform (named after the air base where the meeting takes place), is a meeting of international allies who support Ukraine's defense in the war against Russia. It currently brings together defense ministers from more than 50 countries.

• Defense ministers did not agree upon providing Ukraine with Leopard tanks at the Ramstein meeting. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that there is no "unified approach to the issue of providing Leopard tanks."
• On January 20, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at a meeting of the contact group on Ukraine's defense that the US is determined to set an example in how to provide assistance to Ukraine.