The US Secretary of Defense “behind closed doors” met with Umerov at the Pentagon

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held bilateral discussions with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov at the Pentagon.

Source: Pentagon

Literally: “Before the closed-door discussions began, Austin publicly confirmed that the United States supports Ukraine.”

Direct speech Austin: “Ukraine has returned more than half the territory Russia has seized since its unprovoked invasion began in February 2022. So we will stand by Ukraine for the long haul. I am confident that our allies and partners will too.”

Details: Today’s bilateral discussion built on conversations that took place last month in Kyiv and included Ukraine’s strategic goals for the next year and long-term planning, the Pentagon said.

Austin also announced the 52nd removal of equipment from U.S. stockpiles.

According to him, the package includes additional ammunition, artillery and tank weapons, and ammunition for small arms.

The United States on Wednesday already announced a $175 million military aid package for Ukraine.

Background:

• Previous military aid package worth 100 million dollars The US announced November 20. It included, among other things, one HIMARS multiple launch rocket system, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, 155 mm and 105 mm artillery shells.
• The Joe Biden administration still has about $5 billion of the military aid budget Congress approved last year from U.S. stockpiles.
• The day before, Democrats in the US Senate introduced a national security funding package worth about $111 billion to provide assistance to Ukraine and Israel, as well as measures aimed at protecting the southern border.