Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and his Canadian counterpart, Minister of National Defence Anita Anand, met in Brussels on March 17, 2022, to discuss their shared commitment to the strength of the NATO alliance and their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine. Both leaders reaffirmed the close defense relationship between the United States and Canada, and agreed on the importance of strategic investments in defense capabilities.
The two leaders agreed on the importance of continued support to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russian aggression. Secretary Austin thanked Minister Anand for Canada’s prompt contributions to NATO deterrence and defense on the Eastern Flank, as well as Canada’s willingness to impose strict sanctions on Russia.