WASHINGTON

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Argentine counterpart Luis Petri on Monday expressed support for Ukraine in its ongoing war against Russia.


In a phone call, Austin thanked Petri for Argentina's joining of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said in a statement.

Austin and Petri "reaffirmed both countries' commitment to supporting a democratic, independent, and sovereign Ukraine that can defend itself and deter Russian aggression," Ryder added.


The Ukraine Defense Contact Group is a coalition of about 50 nations that meets regularly to discuss Ukraine's security needs since the war with Russia began in April 2022.


This June, Argentina became a new member of the contact group in support of Kyiv.