Pentagon chief reaffirms Ukraine support after Biden's withdrawal from campaign
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (Getty Images)
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed Washington's unwavering support for Ukraine during a phone call with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, according to Pentagon spokesperson Major General Pat Ryder.
This was the first phone conversation between the heads of defense departments since US President Joe Biden announced he would not seek re-election and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic Party's candidate to challenge former Republican President Donald Trump.
"Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III today reaffirmed the United States' unwavering support for Ukraine as it relates to that country's ongoing conflict with Russia during a phone call with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov," Ryder said.
During the phone call, the ministers also discussed allies' steps to support Ukraine and the outcomes of the NATO summit, which took place earlier this month in Washington.
At the July 9-11 summit, which marked NATO's 75th anniversary, Austin made it clear that while the U.S. does not plan to enter the war in Ukraine, they will continue to support the country. "We will stand by Ukraine as it fights for its sovereignty and security," Austin said in his July 10 address.
Before this call, Austin and Umerov met in person at the Pentagon earlier this month to preliminarily discuss a new $2.3 billion military aid package for Ukraine.
"Make no mistake, Ukraine is not alone," Austin said during that meeting. "The United States will never waver, and our support alongside some 50 allies and partners will continue to provide the critical capabilities that Ukraine needs to push back Russian aggression today and to deter Russian aggression tomorrow."
During today's conversation, Umerov also briefed Austin on the current situation in Ukraine.
"Minister Umerov provided Secretary Austin an update of dynamics on the ground in Ukraine as Ukraine's forces bravely continue to fight Russian aggression," Ryder told reporters.
Ukraine's Ministry of Defense reported the conversation between Umerov and Austin on July 23. During the discussion, Umerov once again emphasized the importance and urgency of lifting the US ban on the use of long-range weapons provided to Kyiv as part of the defense aid.
