Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Romanian Minister of National Defense Vasile Dîncu to discuss mutual concern about Russia’s ongoing, unprovoked military build-up around Ukraine. In this first call between the Secretary and Minister Dîncu, both leaders exchanged views on bolstering deterrence along NATO’s Eastern Flank, expressed support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and underscored the importance of Alliance unity within NATO going forward.