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US, Canadian defense chiefs pledge long-term assistance to Ukraine

The Pentagon said Lloyd Austin and Anita Anand also discussed countering Russia

WASHINGTON, November 20. /TASS/. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin met with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand on Saturday and they reaffirmed that will provide security assistance to Ukraine over the long term.

That’s according to a statement released by Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder.

The meeting took place on the margins of the Halifax International Security Forum. Austin and Anand discussed the release of the Department of Defense’s 2022 National Defense Strategy, cooperation to counter the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, and North American Aerospace Defense Command modernization, among other things.

They also "reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine, pledging to continue providing assistance to strengthen Ukraine’s security and sovereignty over the long term."

Austin earlier delivered a speech at the Halifax forum.

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