US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is convening a meeting in Germany with defense officials and military leaders from about 40 countries next week.\u00a0The leaders are expected to discuss Ukraine’s immediate and long-term defense needs,\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
KYIV.\u00a0UkraineGate ,23 , April , 2022 | Political News .\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Details<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said about 40 countries had been invited to the meeting, including NATO members. He noted that the countries are still responding to the invitation, so the list of those who will participate will be announced later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The meeting will take place against the background of Russian reports about the beginning of the second phase of the war in Ukraine. The leaders will discuss an updated assessment of the battlefield in Ukraine, as well as efforts to continue a steady flow of weapons and other military assistance to Ukraine, Kirby said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, according to the spokesman, the discussion will include consultations on Ukraine’s needs in postwar defense, but no change in the US military position in Europe is expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n