#PentagonVirtualMeeting

[defensenow]

18th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group . I'm Celeste Wallander, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Policy and I will serve as facilitators for facilitator for today's contact group . Uh I would like to welcome Minister Umarov of Ukraine. We value your presence here with your team at the UDCG and we look forward to hearing from you shortly. But please first let me introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to deliver introductory remarks . Mr Secretary over to you.