United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reveals some 20 countries had announced new security assistance packages for Ukraine during a virtual meeting with allies.

“Now, we’ve made important progress since the Contact Group was established after the Ramstein Summit last month, and today, together with Minister Reznikov and his team, we’ve gained a sharper and shared sense of Ukraine’s priority requirements and the situation on the battlefield.

We also heard some very welcome announcements this morning about even more security assistance for Ukraine. That includes some 20 countries that announced new security assistance packages, and many countries are donating critically needed artillery ammunition and coastal defense systems and tanks and other armored vehicles.

Others came forward with new commitments for training Ukraine’s forces and sustaining its military systems. There are too many countries to properly thank everyone here, but let me mention just a few standouts.

I’m especially grateful to Denmark, which announced today that it will provide a harpoon launcher and missiles to help Ukraine defend its coast. I’d also like to thank the Czech Republic for its substantial support, including a recent donation of attack helicopters, tanks and rocket systems.

And today, several countries announced new donations of critically needed artillery systems and ammunition, including Italy, Greece, Norway and Poland. And let me also recognize the United Kingdom for its leading role in helping to coordinate security assistance and for the significant quantities of British equipment that continue to flow into Ukraine. I’m deeply grateful to these countries and to all the countries that have stood up today”, - said Lloyd Austin.