Attributed to Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto to discuss Italy's robust contributions to the security of NATO's Eastern Flank and to commend Italy for its continued security assistance to help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's unprovoked and unjust invasion. The two leaders will continue these discussions next week, along with other members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, at Ramstein Air Base in Germany.