Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
"On April 19, 2024, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III joined NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, and NATO Allies virtually for a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council in Defense Ministers format."
During the meeting, Secretary Austin underscored the urgent need for air defense assistance for Ukraine in light of Russia's relentless aerial attacks on critical infrastructure and civilians. He emphasized the need for immediate, concerted action on air defense, stating, "The United States will continue to push for action on air defense and other priority requirements for Ukraine."
Secretary Austin also highlighted the achievements of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, noting that over the past two years, they have delivered substantial capability to Ukraine, including "over 70 mid- to long-range air defense systems and thousands of missiles committed by UDCG participants."
In response to the ongoing crisis, Secretary Austin announced that he will convene the twenty-first meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group virtually on Friday, Apr. 26, which marks the two-year anniversary of the first Contact Group meeting following Russia's invasion.
The discussions during the virtual meeting emphasized the importance of international cooperation and support for Ukraine's security needs amidst the escalating conflict in the region.
