Reznikov and Austin discuss priorities ahead of “Ramstein”

18 April, 2023 Illustration for the news: a meeting of the Contact Group on Defense of Ukraine in the "Ramstein" format. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine U.S.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held talks with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, discussing priorities ahead of the "Ramstein" meeting, among other things, according to the Pentagon's press service. "This meeting will mark one year since Secretary Austin first convened the UDCG at Ramstein to coordinate security assistance, which has now brought together some fifty nations in support of Ukraine," the statement said. Both leaders pledged to maintain close contact.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin and Minister of Defence Oleksii Reznikov at the Ramstein meeting on October 12, 2022. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

In his turn, Austin stated that the United States would support Ukraine as long as necessary.

"Today, I spoke with my good friend and Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov to discuss priorities ahead of this week's Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) meeting in Germany. We will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes," he wrote on Twitter.