Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov to congratulate him on his appointment and to reiterate the steadfast U.S. support for Ukraine. Secretary Austin provided an update on U.S. security assistance efforts and exchanged views with Minister Umerov on priorities to support Ukraine’s immediate battlefield needs and capability requirements over the long term. Secretary Austin and Minister Umerov also discussed the agenda for the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting to be held next week at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
The two leaders pledged to remain in close contact.