The question of Ukraine’s long-term security and sovereignty was the main topic of discussion on Tuesday as representatives of some 40 countries gathered for a conference at a US air base in western Germany. The countries’ defence ministers and other officials invited to the Ramstein Air Base by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin were expected to focus on the country’s defence against the invasion and its needs in the period following the war. The US Department of Defence made clear that the conference was not under NATO auspices. Non-members were reportedly among those attending. It emerged ea…