DOD, UDCG Continue to Look for Better Ways to Expedite Support to Ukraine > U.S. Department of Defense > Defense Department News

Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III right now spoke with Ukrainian Protection Minister Rustem Umerov to debate ongoing struggle efforts in Ukraine and particulars of the following assembly of the Ukraine Protection Contact Group in September.

“Throughout their name, Minister Umerov supplied an replace on the impression of Russia’s continued assaults in Ukraine,” Pentagon Press Secretary Air Drive Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder mentioned throughout a briefing right now. “Secretary Austin and the minister additionally mentioned the following Ukraine Protection Contact Group assembly, which can be held subsequent month in assist of Ukraine’s pressing safety help necessities.” 

The UDCG, spearheaded by Austin, met for the primary time in Germany in April 2022 and meets month-to-month. The group is a method for the greater than 50 collaborating nations to coordinate their help to Ukraine and give attention to Ukraine’s future protection wants. 

Apart from coordinating efforts to get much-needed army provides to Ukraine, the UDCG additionally explores higher methods to expedite the supply of these supplies. 

“We’re all the time taking a look at ways in which we are able to expedite supply of capabilities to the Ukrainians,” Ryder mentioned. “The Ukraine Protection Contact Group offers a superb discussion board wherein to have discussions to have a look at processes [and] procedures as [they relate] to making sure that the Ukrainians have what they want on the battlefield to defend themselves.” 

Ryder mentioned the U.S. has emphasised speedy supply of programs to Ukraine from the beginning. In November 2022, for example, the U.S. stood up the Safety Help Group-Ukraine in Wiesbaden, Germany, to higher coordinate coaching and equipping Ukrainian forces, and to assist improve their situational consciousness.

With greater than 50 nations collaborating within the UDCG, Ryder mentioned, supporting Ukraine is a posh effort — one the DOD will proceed to uphold.  

“That’s work that’s always ongoing,” he mentioned. “As evidenced by the truth that you proceed to see Russian forces conducting offensive motion within the east of Ukraine, we additionally acknowledge the very important significance of shifting as shortly as doable, so we’ll keep after it.”