US Def Sec Austin Hosts 11th UKG Amid Fallout From Pentagon Leak

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is currently hosting the 11^th meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.

• 10:30 ET 15:30 BST: Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley will hold a press conference at the conclusion of talks: LINK
• Austin told assembled defence representatives ahead of the meeting: “Ladies and gentlemen, more than a year later, Ukraine is still standing strong... In total, the members of this Contact Group have provided more than $55 billion in security assistance for Ukraine. That's a tenfold increase since we first met.”
• The buildup to the meeting has been overshadowed by revelations in the recent Pentagon classified documents leak which appeared to suggest that US officials doubted Kyiv’s ability to reclaim occupied territory in an expected spring counteroffensive.
• Austin addressed the leak, saying: “Now, I know that many of you have been following the reports of unauthorized disclosure of sensitive and classified U.S. material. I take this issue very seriously. And we will continue to work closely and respectfully with our deeply valued allies and partners.”