US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin had a telephone conversation with Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov.
According to the Pentagon website, the ministers discussed the latest news on the situation at the frontline and the upcoming virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group scheduled for 23 January.
Austin stressed that the United States and the coalition of nearly 50 allies and partners "remain committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression".
The ministers promised to maintain close contact.