Statement from Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh on Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Visit to Ukraine

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III arrived in Ukraine today to meet with Ukrainian leaders and reiterate the support of the United States for Ukraine's fight for freedom. This is the Secretary's fourth visit to Ukraine as Secretary of Defense.

During his engagements, the Secretary will meet with Ukrainian leadership and underscore the U.S. commitment to providing Ukraine with the security assistance it needs to defend itself from Russian aggression on the battlefield.

At the conclusion of his visit, the Secretary will deliver a speech that will highlight how Ukraine has skillfully fought back against Putin's war of choice, U.S. commitment to ensuring Ukraine's armed forces have the battlefield capabilities they need, and why Ukraine's fight matters for U.S. security.

Since April 2022, the Secretary has convened the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on a near monthly basis-a coalition of some 50 countries from around the globe determined to help Ukraine fight against Putin's aggression. And together, the nations of the UDCG have provided billions of dollars of security assistance for Ukraine-and helped pave the way to build the future force and the industrial base that will enable Ukraine to deter Russian aggression into the future.