Ukraine and US defense chiefs discuss Ukrainian operations and training efforts

Europe, News, US August 22, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held talks with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to discuss ongoing war efforts in Ukraine and details of the upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

According to the Pentagon statement, both defense leaders held discussions regarding “battlefield dynamics Ukraine’s ongoing operations, and Ukrainian reconstitution and training efforts.”

During the talks, U.S. Secretary Austin reiterated the United States’ support for Ukraine and said that the two leaders would continue to remain in close contact. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said in a briefing that the two men “discussed ongoing support from allies and partners in helping meet Ukraine’s urgent military requirements.”

Ukraine’s Minister Umerov provided U.S. Secretary Austin with an update on the impact of Russia’s continued attacks in Ukraine. Secretary Austin and Minister Umerov also discussed the next Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting to continue to support Ukraine’s urgent military requirements.

The next Ukraine Defense Contact Group will be held in September to support Ukraine’s urgent security assistance requirements. The meeting, between the coalition of 50 nations, is led by the U.S. and conducted with Western partners and allies to support Ukraine with weapons and equipment for its defense against Russia. The first such meeting took place on April 26, 2022, at the U.S. Airbase in Ramstein, Germany.

The Ukraine Defense Contact Group also explores better ways to expedite the delivery of those materials. Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said, “We are always looking at ways that we can expedite delivery of capabilities to the Ukrainians.”

^{Army Gen. Darryl A. Williams, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, poses with Ukrainian soldiers training at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, in January 2024. (Image Credit: U.S. DoD/Army Capt. Micah Welch)}

“The Ukraine Defense Contact Group provides an excellent forum in which to have discussions to look at processes [and] procedures as [they relate] to ensuring that the Ukrainians have what they need on the battlefield to defend themselves,” he added.

The latest defense package from the U.S. includes air defense interceptors, munitions for rocket and artillery systems, and antitank weapons for Ukraine. The U.S. has provided more than $55.4 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its unprovoked invasion in February 2022.

In April U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin unveiled a historic $6 billion military assistance program for Ukraine, marking the largest single aid package. The package includes increased munitions for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS), along with supplementary equipment for integrating Western air defense launchers, missiles, and radars into Ukraine’s current arsenal, much of which remains rooted in the Soviet era technology.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has made significant success in offensive operations and advancements in Russia’s Kursk region. Ukrainian Army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Ukraine’s forces have advanced 28-35 kilometers (17 to 22 miles) in the Kursk region.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said on August 19, “The world sees that everything in this war depends only on courage – our courage, the courage of our partners.” He added, “We see that the occupier is suffering losses, and this is helpful — very helpful — for our defense. It is about destroying the logistics of the Russian army and draining their reserves.”

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy — *^{U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting. (Image Credit: Olivier Matthys/Reuters)}*

Zekenskyy highlighted that Ukrainian forces must inflict maximum damage on all Russian positions. The Ukrainian forces are tenaciously defending the Donbas region even as they advance in Kursk, he said. “We are eliminating the Russian military presence in the area of our operations there and replenishing ‘the exchange fund’ for our state,” the Ukrainian president said.