Ukraine's Defence Minister discusses military aid and Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting with US Defense Secretary

Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov has met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during his visit to the United States on 30 August. Source: Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh, as reported by European Pravda Details: Singh noted that the discussions between Umierov and Austin focused on the battlefield situation, military assistance priorities and the upcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein format. 

Austin reaffirmed the US's unwavering support for a "free, secure and sovereign Ukraine".

The parties discussed priorities for security assistance, particularly air defence, artillery, armoured vehicles and other equipment. Quote from Singh: "The two leaders pledged to continue to build on the strategic partnership between the United States and Ukraine." Ukraine's Defence Ministry noted that the meeting between Umierov and Austin was also attended by Andrii Yermak, Head of the President's Office; Deputy Defence Minister Oleksandr Balanutsa; Major General Volodymyr Horbatiuk, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; and Mykola Shevtsov, Chief of the Main Logistics Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The ministry noted that the discussion also touched on the development of Ukraine's defence industry, although details were not provided.

Background: 

• Before this meeting, Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had spoken by phone at least three times over the course of two weeks.
• It is worth noting that the 24th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, known as the Ramstein format, will be held on 6 September at the US airbase of the same name in Germany.

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