Defense chiefs Reznikov and Austin discuss supply of additional weapons to Kyiv
Patriot air defense systems (Photo:NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization/flickr.com)
Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and his U.S. counterpart Lloyd Austin discussed the provision of additional air defense systems and artillery to Kyiv during their latest telephone conversation, the Pentagon's website reported on Feb. 11.
Reznikov also spoke about "the situation on the ground in Ukraine," the Pentagon said.
The parties acknowledged the importance of providing military assistance to Kyiv as soon as possible, as promised at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group or “Ramstein” meeting of Ukraine’s military allies held on Jan. 20 in Germany.
This, and other priority issues, will be discussed at the upcoming Ramstein meeting, which will take place next week in Brussels, Belgium.
During the previous Ramstein meeting, the participants decided that Ukraine would receive from its allies:
- air defense systems from France, Germany, and the United Kingdom, including a battery of Patriot air defense systems;
- missiles for Patriot, launchers and training from the Netherlands;
- NASAMS air defense system and missiles purchased by Canada;
- Challenger 2 tanks from the United Kingdom;
- CV90 infantry fighting vehicles and Archer self-propelled artillery systems from Sweden;
- 19 howitzers from Denmark;
- more helicopters, Stinger MANPADS and other equipment from Latvia;
- a large aid package from Estonia, which includes 155-mm howitzer rounds and more.
In addition, the United States will provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with:
- 59 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles;
- 90 Stryker armored personnel carriers;
- 53 mine-resistant armored vehicles (MRAPs);
- 350 Humvee High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWVs).
A few days later, on Jan. 25, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz officially announced that Germany would transfer 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine and approve their re-export from partner countries.
According to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, the tanks could be sent to Ukraine by the end of March.
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