Pentagon chief calls for additional assistance to Ukraine at Defense Contact Group Meeting

In his opening remarks at the meeting, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin welcomed Ecuador, Georgia, and Moldova, which joined the group, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Voice of America.

“We don't have time to waste. So we're here to dig in our spurs. And we're going to deepen our support for the Ukrainian armed forces in today's fight and we're going to build their enduring strength for tomorrow's dangers,” the Pentagon chief said.

Austin called on the countries to mobilize additional aid for Ukraine now that Russia has focused on capturing Donetsk and Luhansk regions and is using long-range systems to overcome Ukrainian positions. The United States is currently working to provide Ukraine with long-range firepower, armored vehicles, and coastal defense systems, the U.S. Secretary of Defense added.

As the United States sent HIMARS and multiple-launch rocket systems to Ukraine, the country’s defense capabilities have strengthened significantly, Austin said, especially along with the provision of missile systems from the United Kingdom and other allies.

As reported, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov is also taking part in the third Ukraine Defense Contact Group Meeting involving almost 50 countries.

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