U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with representatives of the Ukrainian Defense Forces and the defense industry and discussed with them steps to implement the Victory Plan, the operational situation on the battlefield, and prospects for cooperation in production of weapons and equipment, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said.

"The visit of my friend, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, to Kyiv is an important signal indicating the strength of our partnership," Umerov wrote on Telegram on Monday.

As Umerov noted, at the meeting with his American counterpart, they discussed in detail steps to implement the Victory Plan of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrsky outlined the operational situation on the battlefield. According to Umerov, the commander of the Ground Forces, Oleksandr Pavliuk, the acting commander of the Air Force, Anatoliy Kryvonozhko, and the acting commander of the Naval Forces, Andriy Tarasov, informed about the current state of affairs and plans for the development of these types of troops.

"Chief of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Anatoliy Barhylevyh, and Chairman of the State Special Transport Service Oleksandr Yakovets were also present," the Minister of Defense of Ukraine reported.

"A separate topic of negotiations was attracting American investments for the development of our defense-industrial complex. We considered possible mutually beneficial scenarios - joint ventures with the United States and direct American investments in the Ukrainian defense industry. Minister of Strategic Industries Herman Smetanin presented in detail the capabilities of our production," Umerov noted. "I really appreciate that the United States supports the idea of ​​financing our industry and calls on other countries to also invest in the production of Ukrainian weapons," the minister emphasized.

Umerov also expressed gratitude for the support to Mr. Austin personally, the people and the government of the United States. "The $400 million aid package announced today will provide our Defense Forces with the necessary artillery ammunition, military equipment and weapons," he said.