U.S., Ukrainian defense ministers discuss further military assistance to Kyiv - Pentagon

WASHINGTON. Aug 17 (Interfax) - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has had a phone call with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov to discuss further U.S. military assistance to Kyiv, the Pentagon press service said on Wednesday.

"Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksiy Reznikov to discuss Ukraine's immediate and long-term security assistance needs," the statement said.

Reznikov briefed Austin "on the dynamics on the battlefield in Ukraine," it said.

The sides also discussed planning for the next meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, the press service said.