• The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today the authorization of up to $725 million in security assistance to Ukraine
• Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stated earlier this week that Europe is facing its greatest security challenge since World War II
• Secretary of Defense met with his counterparts from Finland and Sweden, Ministers Kaikkonen and Hultqvist.

This week, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met with his counterparts from Finland and Sweden, Ministers Kaikkonen and Hultqvist. The leaders reaffirmed the strength of the trilateral relationship, which has been strengthened by Finland and Sweden’s ongoing NATO accession process.

The leaders talked about key global security issues, including Russia’s recent escalation of its unprovoked war in Ukraine, and reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukrainian sovereignty. The leaders also talked about the Nord Stream pipeline explosions, the importance of resilience, and other security issues in the Nordic region and the Arctic.

The status of Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership was also discussed, with all parties expressing gratitude to those nations that have already ratified the NATO accession protocols.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III stated earlier this week that Europe is facing its greatest security challenge since World War II as a result of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions.

Austin said that this includes “cruel attacks on civilian targets” in Ukraine. Remarks were made at the conclusion of a two-day ministerial at NATO headquarters.

The participants at the two-day ministerial discussed progress since the NATO summit in Madrid earlier this year. They talked about Ukraine’s immediate and long-term needs, the effects of the invasion on overall security, and efforts to address the critical issue of ammunition stockpiles and defence industry capacity.

Ministers from Finland and Sweden were invited to attend the NATO meeting. Austin called those nations’ decision to apply for membership a “historic step,” and he urged allies to ratify those protocols as soon as possible.

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday that using nuclear weapons in Ukraine would cross a “very important line” in light of upcoming nuclear drills between Russia and the military alliance.

Since January 2021, the US has committed more than $18.2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. Since 2014, the US has committed more than $20.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, with an approx. $17.6 billion committed since the invasion began on February 24.

The Department of Defense (DoD)  announced today the authorization of up to $725 million in security assistance to Ukraine to meet its critical security and defence needs.

This is the Biden Administration’s 23rd authorization to withdraw equipment from DoD inventories for Ukraine since August 2021.

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