The gathering of the so-called Ramstein group at the eponymous US military base was supposed to feature addresses by Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
Following the start of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, more than 50 countries, including most NATO member states, established the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. The participantsโ defense ministers have been meeting regularly at Ramstein Air Base to discuss Kievโs arms needs and organize deliveries.
Reuters reported on Wednesday that the โOctober 12, 2024 event is postponedโ, with โannouncements about future Ukraine Defense Contact Group meetings… forthcoming”.
Earlier that same day, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) had reported that a โhigh-level meeting of the Ramstein group of Ukraine arms donors has been canceled.โ The media outlet attributed the development to President Bidenโs decision to scrap his planned trip to Germany.
In a statement on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced that โgiven the projected trajectory and strength of Hurricane Milton, President Biden is postponing his upcoming trip to Germany”.
The US president later explained that โI just donโt think I can be out of the country at this time,โ adding that he hoped to reschedule the trip โand all the conferences I said Iโd participate in.โ
Bidenโs visit was originally scheduled for October 10-13, and would have been the first state visit by a sitting US president to Germany in nearly 40 years.
Later on Tuesday, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken โwas going to accompany the President and now is returning homeโ since Biden has called off his trip to Germany.