But as the day began, the focus was less on Austin than what it means for him to depart. In the last three years, the secretary has convened this Ukraine Defense Contact Group — a gathering of 50 countries supporting Kyiv — 25 times.

Ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to office, Ukraine’s future course is shrouded in uncertainty as it loses ground to Russia’s far larger military.

The United States will provide Ukraine with an additional $500 million in weapons and equipment in what’s expected to be the final military aid package under the outgoing Biden administration.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has announced a US$500 million military aid package during a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein-format meetings, at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.