U.S. defense secretary, his Ukrainian counterpart discuss upcoming Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting - Pentagon

WASHINGTON. July 19 (Interfax) - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov spoke over the phone to discuss issues on the agenda of an upcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the U.S. Department of Defense said.

"Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov to discuss the Ukraine Defense Contact Group to be held virtually with Allies and partners on July 20," the Pentagon said.

The parties also "exchanged perspectives on security assistance to Ukraine and pledged to remain in close coordination."

Reznikov also "provided an update on the situation on the ground," it said.

The agreement on holding the aforementioned meeting was reached during the ministers' phone call earlier.