Defence Minister Naď at Ramstein: We are ready to speak about details and options for training Ukrainians in Slovakia

Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď took part in a multilateral meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contract Group (UDCG) at Ramstein Air Base (RMS AB), Germany, today. The UDCG met in Defence leaders format and was organised around the themes of the evolving battlefield situation in Ukraine and the needs of the Ukrainian Armed Forces for materiel support and military training. Defence leaders also discussed initiatives to plus up the defence industrial bases in the interests of equipping Ukraine with the capabilities it needs for its defensive efforts.

On SVK response to Ukraine's military requirements, Jaroslav Naď said: “Our willingness and determination to address specific requirements of the Ukrainian side are still there. I believe that by building and strengthening the capacities and capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, we will edge closer to seeing an end to this senseless Russian aggression and victory of a free Ukraine.”

On military training to meet Ukraine's needs, Mr Naď repeated that Slovakia is ready to address options on hand for specialist training opportunities for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. “The provision of military training in Slovakia could be part of our eventual contribution to the newly established EU Military Advisory and Training Mission Ukraine,” he added, noting that the scope and form of Slovakia's assistance under EUATM Ukraine must both target Ukraine's requirements and reflect Slovakia's options available.

The US-led Ukraine Defence Contact Group was set up as Defence leaders from over 40 nations first met to discuss international support for Ukraine at Germany's RMS AB on 26 April 2022. Ever since, the UDCG has met on a regular basis. Today marked the fifth such meeting in Defence leaders format.