Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed Danish Minister for Defence Morten Bødskov to the Pentagon.
The leaders discussed the strength of our long-standing bilateral defense relationship and ongoing efforts to support Ukrainian sovereignty. They discussed common security interests in Europe, the North Atlantic, and across the globe. The two look forward to deepening bilateral cooperation.
Secretary Austin and Minister Bødskov exchanged views on the Russian Federation’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine. Secretary Austin reaffirmed unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, including ongoing efforts by the United States, European Allies, and partners to provide Ukraine with the capabilities it needs to defend itself. Secretary Austin thanked Minister Bødskov for his leadership in organizing the Copenhagen Conference for Northern European Defence Allies of Ukraine, a productive format that will complement the Ukraine Defense Contact Group.