A meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defence has started in Germany at Ramstein Air Force Base.
The Ukrainian delegation is headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov. As usual, the meeting is chaired by Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin.
Austin thanked the German defence minister for his hospitality and the Ukrainian delegation for joining.
The Pentagon chief said that Russia is paying a huge price for Putin's imperial dream. He added that Ukrainian troops are facing difficult conditions and heavy fighting. Civilians are under threat from Russian attacks and Iranian drones.
Austin said his message is clear: The United States will not let Ukraine fail. The coalition will not let Ukraine lose. The entire free world will not let it do so.
The US Secretary also stressed that Vladimir Putin will not stop at Ukraine. But Ukraine is able stop Russia if it is supplied with weapons.
The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine said that Ukraine's priorities at this meeting are to provide air defence systems and missiles for them, as well as long-range missiles. Artillery shells, especially 155 mm calibre, modern electronic warfare and electronic warfare systems, and armoured vehicles remain a constant point of discussion.
LIVE: @SecDef Lloyd J. Austin III gives the opening remarks at the 20th Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Ramstein, Germany. https://t.co/DS7S0QAP0C
— Department of Defense 🇺🇸 (@DeptofDefense) March 19, 2024