Lloyd Austin heads to Germany for eighth meeting of defense leaders on Ukraine
Mike Brest
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Defense leaders from nearly 50 countries will convene in Germany on Friday to discuss how they can best help Ukraine defeat Russia.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley will lead the eighth meeting, and the fifth in-person, of the Defense Contact Group since Russia invaded Ukraine nearly 11 months ago.
“The Contact Group has been instrumental in identifying, synchronizing, and ensuring delivery of the military capabilities the Ukrainians need to defend their homeland against Russian aggression,” said Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder at a briefing on Tuesday.
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Ryder expects air defense, tanks, and artillery to be topics for them to discuss further, he said last week, noting that a major factor in these conversations is the ability to train Ukrainian forces on the weapons, and how to sustain and maintain them.
“Part of the factor … the equation that goes into that is the ability to train on this equipment, sustain it, and maintain it,” he explained. “And so, that will be a part of any discussion whether it’s [the] United States or our partners. But certainly, we are supportive of any type of capability that will give the Ukrainians an advantage on the battlefield.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated a new military aid package will be announced “in the days to come” on Tuesday, adding that they’re “coordinating security assistance among many countries.”
Austin will meet with incoming German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius prior to the Defense Contact Group meeting, who assumed the position after his predecessor, Christine Lambrecht, announced her resignation on Monday amid criticism of her performance.
Eyes are on the German government right now, as it considers providing Ukraine with Leopard main battle tanks. German officials have been hesitant to make donations in their own name or authorize other countries to reexport the tanks to Ukraine, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces growing pressure to change course ahead of an expected Russian offensive this spring.
On Tuesday, Milley had his first in-person meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Commander in Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
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“They discussed the unprovoked and ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and exchanged perspectives and assessments,” Joint Staff spokesman Col. Dave Butler said in a readout. “The Chairman reaffirmed unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”