Ukraine support group meeting postponed after Biden’s cancellation

The Ramstein meeting scheduled at the German Air Base on Saturday (12 October) has been postponed to an unknown date after US President Joe Biden cancelled his participation.

"The event is postponed. Announcements about future Ukraine Defence Contact Group meetings will be forthcoming," the Ramstein Air Base announced on Wednesday (9 October), reported Reuters.

The meeting initially planned for the weekend was to be held under the so-called Ramstein format, where around 50 countries meet regularly to coordinate military support for Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky planned to propose his victory and peace plan to his backers on this occasion. He was hoping for the US to lift restrictions on the use of weapons against Russian territory.

Biden, however, cancelled his participation on Tuesday (8 October). The White House said he must remain in Washington DC, to coordinate preparations as the south of the country was about to get hit by Hurricane Milton, as well as relief for the victims of Hurricane Helen.

The US president was also scheduled for a state visit to Germany, an event that has not taken place in almost 40 years.

[Edited by Rajnish Singh]