Austin and Umerov held a meeting “behind closed doors”: what was discussed

Austin and Umerov held a bilateral meeting/Collage 24 Channel

As part of a working visit to the United States of America, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. They held a bilateral meeting at the Pentagon, where they discussed Ukraine's strategic goals for 2024.

The meeting took place after the Defense Industries Conference. Before the start of the “behind closed doors” discussions, Austin publicly confirmed US support for Ukraine.

Meeting between Austin and Umerov

Ukraine has returned more than half the territory seized by Russia since its unprovoked invasion began in February 2022. So we will support Ukraine for a long time. “I am confident that our allies and partners will also be there,” said the head of the US Department of Defense.

The Pentagon notes that this bilateral discussion was based on conversations that took place last month ( November – Channel 24) in Kiev, and included Ukraine's strategic goals for the next year and a long-term vision for the future force.

Austin confirmed a new military aid package, including additional ammunition for the defense of Ukraine – artillery and tank weapons, ammunition for small arms.

The Minister of Defense of Ukraine noted the importance of holding a defense industry development conference in Washington, which is a continuation of the International Forum of Defense Industries DFNC1, organized in the fall in Kyiv. This time representatives of more than 350 Ukrainian and American industries gathered in Washington.

Ukrainian weapons, equipment and technologies should occupy the Russians’ niche in the arms market. To do this, we need a powerful Defense Coalition to join forces in the fight against Russian terror. Increasing the ability to produce weapons and equipment in Ukraine is also a matter of Ukrainian and national interests, said Rustem Umerov.

The press service of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine noted that during the meeting the parties discussed continued US support for Ukraine in 2024.

A special focus was on strengthening air defense. This is especially important in winter.

During the discussion, the parties raised the topic of intensifying the construction of fortifications. Rustem Umerov informed Lloyd Austin about the latest news in this direction.

Also during the meeting, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov noted that a separate priority for the next year is NATO.< /p>

US aid for Ukraine: latest news

• There is an epic in the US Congress regarding the allocation of a joint package of military assistance for Ukraine and Israel. US President Joe Biden tried to reach out to Congress, which is slow to provide assistance to Ukraine. He stressed that the United States cannot let Vladimir Putin win.
• Joe Biden addressed the US Congress on December 6 , urging him to finally approve the more than $100 billion request. 60 billion of this is provided for financing assistance specifically to our state.
• Public figure Valery Klochok noted that now the US President can influence the decision, but not because of the appeal, but consensus with the Republicans.