Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem UmerovOn-Camera Press BriefingDOD Support to National Security Memorandum 22

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Ukrainian Minister of Defence Rustem Umerov today regarding Ukraine's most pressing security assistance needs. Secretary Austin detailed ongoing U.S. security assistance efforts following the passage of the National Security Supplemental, including the recent $1 billion Presidential Drawdown and $6 billion Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative announcements. Minister Umerov provided an update of dynamics on the battlefield, as well as the impact of Russia's continued aerial attacks across Ukraine.

The two leaders pledged to remain in close contact.