Austin also received an update on the “dynamics on the ground” in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, and reassured Umerov of Washington’s “unwavering support,” RT reported.
During the meeting, the US official highlighted American efforts to fulfill Ukraine’s “most urgent” military requirements, including $2.3 billion in additional security assistance that “will be announced soon,” according to press secretary Pat Ryder.
The Pentagon has yet to unveil the exact contents of the next weapons shipment, but the package will reportedly include a “significant number” of air defense interceptor missiles.
“I am proud that the US will soon announce more than $2.3 billion in new security assistance for Ukraine. This package under presidential drawdown authority will provide more air defense interceptors, anti-tank weapons and other critical munitions from US inventories,” Austin said.
Kiev reportedly operates at least four Patriot systems, provided by the US and Germany, but Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky has demanded at least 25 units to cover the country’s needs in the conflict with Russia. Washington, however, has been reluctant to send more launchers, instead encouraging its European allies to share their anti-air capabilities with Kiev.
The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that foreign military supplies to Ukraine will not prevent Russia from achieving its goals and will merely prolong the conflict. Moscow has stressed that the deliveries of arms, sharing of intelligence, and training of Ukrainian soldiers means that Western nations are directly involved in the fighting.