More than 30 countries have sent lethal military assistance to Ukraine - Austin

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said this in his opening remarks at the fourth meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group held virtually on Wednesday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Now, one month ago, in Brussels, this group met in person to reaffirm our dedication to Ukraine's self-defense. And we heard from many countries undertaking important new initiatives. More than 30 countries have now sent lethal military assistance to Ukraine in its hour of crisis," he said.

Austin said that these joint efforts have already changed the situation on the ground and they will continue in the future. In this regard, Austin recalled that the United States had committed more than $2.6 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, which includes, among other things, includes a total of 12 HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems to further strengthen Ukraine's long-range fires capability.

"We'll continue to provide historic levels of security assistance to help Ukraine defend itself," Austin said.

He confirmed that the U.S. administration would roll out its next presidential drawdown package of weapons, ammunition, and equipment for Ukraine this week.

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