WASHINGTON, December 22. /TASS/. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov talked by phone on Thursday to discuss Western aid and ways of boosting Kiev’s defense potential, the US Department of Defense said.

Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said in a statement that the officials discussed "security assistance priorities" and the latest situation on the ground in Ukraine.

According to the document, Austin "provided an update on the progress of the capability coalitions," established under the framework of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG).

They also addressed planning for the contact group’s future meetings.