Pentagon Chief Calls Ukrainian Defense Minister, US Prioritizes Delivery Of UAVs, Javelin To Stinger To Help Kyiv Deal With Russia

Menteri Pertahanan AS Lloyd Austin. (Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Secretary of Defense)

JAKARTA - United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, discussed in a telephone conversation with Ukrainian Defense Secretary, Oleksii Reznikov, U.S. military support for Ukraine, with weapons being a priority for delivery to help Kyiv confront Russia, Pentagon Press Secretary, John Kirby, said in a statement.

According to the statement, Minister Austin spoke with Minister Reznikov, affirming U.S. unwavering support for Ukraine, while discussing the changing dynamics on the battlefield."

"Secretary Austin reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the provision of lethal defensive assistance, to enhance Ukraine's capacity to defend itself", Kirby said in the statement.

"Minister Austin highlighted the recently announced US$300 million Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package, bringing the total US security assistance commitments to more than US$1.6 billion", he said.

Furthermore, Minister Austin "reaffirmed the US commitment to using every tool available to document and share information" in light of the recent situation in Bucha (in the Kyiv region) and other parts of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, John Kirby said Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), the Javelin anti-tank missile system, and the Stinger portable surface-to-air missile system are among the priorities for US arms supplies to Ukraine.

"We prioritize the types of capabilities in delivery that we know Ukraine needs the most, Javelin, Stinger, UAV. So, those are all prioritized", explains Kirby.

"Our goal is, again, I said before, as quickly as we can, as much as we can, and continue to do so to ensure that the Ukrainians can continue to defend themselves", the Pentagon spokesman added.

Last weekend, Kirby announced the US Department of Defense would allocate another $300 million in military aid to Ukraine, for defense capacity building.