British Defence Secretary John Healey has arrived in Kyiv on an official visit, as confirmed by Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, reports Renewz.de. Healey’s trip underscores London’s continued military and political support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. This was announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, reports The WP Times .

Key agenda of the visit

Shmyhal stated that the meeting will focus on two central issues:

  1. Preparations for the next Ramstein-format meeting, scheduled to take place in London. This meeting will gather defence ministers and senior officials from allied nations to coordinate Ukraine’s military needs.
  2. Joint UK–Ukraine defence projects, which include cooperation in arms production, training programmes, and technological innovation to strengthen both nations’ defence capabilities.

“We are preparing important bilateral decisions that will enhance the defence potential of our nations,” Shmyhal declared following Healey’s arrival.

The Ramstein format: a global coalition

The Ukraine Defence Contact Group, commonly known as the Ramstein format, was launched on 26 April 2022 at the US Air Force base Ramstein in Germany. Since then, it has become the main platform for coordinating international military aid to Ukraine. Today, nearly 50 countries participate, including NATO members and other global partners.

The London meeting is expected to address advanced air defence systems, ammunition supplies, long-term training missions for Ukrainian forces, and new security guarantees.

Britain’s leadership role

The UK has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of Western support for Ukraine. London co-chairs the so-called “coalition of the willing”, an initiative aimed at safeguarding peace and stability in Ukraine and Europe. Each member state determines its own contribution — ranging from military equipment and training to financial and humanitarian aid.

British officials have previously confirmed that the coalition is developing plans for multinational military forces. These units could be deployed in Ukraine in a post-war scenario to provide security and assist in reconstruction efforts, should a peace agreement be reached.

Over the past months, more than 200 military planners and representatives from approximately 30 countries have taken part in strategic sessions in the UK, working on operational frameworks and deployment models.

Broader context

The visit by John Healey comes as the UK seeks to reaffirm its strategic partnership with Ukraine. Since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, Britain has provided billions of pounds in military aid, including Challenger 2 tanks, Storm Shadow cruise missiles and advanced air defence systems.

Analysts suggest that the timing of Healey’s visit signals both the urgency of preparing for the London Ramstein meeting and the UK’s intent to remain one of Ukraine’s most reliable allies in Europe.

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