US defense chief: Ukraine meeting to focus on boosting Kyiv’s air defense

By Oliver Towfigh Nia

BERLIN (AA) - US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday said that the 11th meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group would focus on boosting Kyiv’s air defense amid Russia’s continuing missile and drone attacks.

“Ukraine urgently needs our help to shield its citizens and infrastructure and forces from Russia’s missile threat,” Austin said at the opening session of the contact group at the US Ramstein Air Force Base in southwestern Germany.

Members of the contact group have provided Ukraine “key air defense systems,” including Patriot missiles, he said.

“In total, members of this contact group have provided more than $55 billion in security assistance for Ukraine. That’s a tenfold increase since we first met,” Austin said.

“More than a year later, Ukraine is still standing strong and our support has not wavered,” he added.

At the meeting, defense ministers and high-ranking military officials from numerous countries are scheduled to discuss further support for Ukraine in the war against Russia.

Austin invited members of the contact group to the conference at the largest air base outside the US.

As at three previous meetings in Ramstein, representatives from non-NATO member states also attended the talks.

After Russia started its war against neighboring Ukraine in February last year, European states and the US imposed unprecedented sanctions on Moscow.