Ukrainian President and US Secretary of Defense discuss key defense issues in Singapore

11:20, 02.06.2024

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Singapore, with Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov also in attendance. The meeting focused on Ukraine’s current defense needs amidst ongoing war with Russia.

“We discussed the key issues: the defense needs of our country, bolstering Ukraine’s air defense system, the F-16 coalition, and drafting of a bilateral security agreement. I am grateful to President Biden for making an important decision regarding defensive strikes with American weapons on the enemy territory to effectively counter Russian attempts to expand the combat zone. We appreciate the vital defense and political support for Ukraine from the United States,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.

Secretary Austin reaffirmed the US’s commitment to providing Ukraine with the necessary support to defend against Russian aggression. This meeting underscores the ongoing strategic partnership and military cooperation between the United States and Ukraine.

Zelensky’s visit to Singapore includes his upcoming speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue Security Forum.

By - Tamar Tabatadze

World

Lloyd Austin

Volodymyr Zelenskyy