US Defence Secretary thanks Georgia, 49 other states for Ukraine Defence Contact Group participation
Georgian Defence Minister Junsher Burchuladze attended the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Germany on Thursday, which was hosted by the United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin. Photo: Lloyd Austin’s Twitter page
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United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin on Thursday thanked Georgia and 49 other states for their participation in the in-person Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, set up in April to ensure support for Ukraine in its defence from the ongoing Russian invasion.
In his comments after attending the second meeting of the group at the air base since its creation, Georgian Defence Minister Juansher Burchuladze said the Ukraine Defence Contact Group would work “actively” to help Ukraine develop its defence capabilities in the face of Russian aggression.
This is what unity looks like! Nearly 50 countries joined together at @RamsteinAirBase for the fifth meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. I am extremely proud of the progress on the discussion to intensify our efforts to support Ukraine and strengthen our @NATO alliance. pic.twitter.com/Fq491i8ORH
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) September 8, 2022
At the meeting, we presented and discussed the current situation in Ukraine, the possibilities, future prospects and the ways in which NATO and its allies are able to help Ukraine. This group will actively continue to work and help Ukraine develop its capabilities”, Burchuladze said.
Chairing the event, Austin said “I am pleased to report that this Contact Group is now even more united and resolved to keep up our shared support for Ukraine’s right to defend itself”.
This Contact Group will keep coming up with new ways to support Ukraine for the road ahead. Every time that we come together to meet Ukraine’s urgent self-defense needs, it is yet another sign of the free world’s enduring support for Ukraine and its refusal to accept Russia’s imperial aggression”, the US official said.
The Defence Secretary also noted President Joe Biden had approved the latest tranche of American defence assistance to Ukraine on Wednesday, valued at up to $675 million.