Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed UK Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps to the Pentagon today to discuss a range of bilateral defense issues. The two Secretaries discussed supporting Israel's self-defense and the importance of deterring hostile actors who may seek to escalate the conflict or take advantage of the situation.
The leaders reiterated commitments to deliver the training, equipment, and munitions Ukraine depends on for its self-defense. Finally, they discussed the importance of strengthening NATO and the generational opportunity of the AUKUS program to enhance stability and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
Secretary Austin and Secretary Shapps pledged to continue cooperation aimed at deepening the U.S.-UK defense and security relationship.