The 22nd Ukraine Defense Contact Group was held, Ednews reports.

Defense Secretary of United States Lloyd Austin delivered speech at the opening of the meeting, which is attended by 50 defense leaders from Europe and around the world in virtual format.

"We're meeting at a moment of challenge. Putin's invaders have launched another offensive onto sovereign Ukrainian territory. And the Kremlin's forces will try to make further advances in the weeks ahead — and try to carve out a buffer zone along the Ukrainian border," - Lloyd Austin said.

He emphasized that Russians' new offensive in Kharkiv just underscores the importance of this Contact Group.

Austin noted that Russia continues to intensify it bombardment of Ukrainian cities: "So air defense will be high on our agenda today. And I'll be urging all of our valued allies and partners to reassess their ability to get Ukraine the air-defense capabilities that it so urgently needs."

US Defense Secretary said that coordinating cross-cutting issues through the Capability Coalition Leadership Group will be discussed.