Lloyd Austin: Let me give a warm welcome to Ecuador, Georgia and Moldova who are joining today's meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group

Moldova, Georgia and Ecuador have joined a meeting of Chiefs of Staff and Defense Ministers in the Rammstein format on military assistance to Ukraine. This was announced by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at a meeting in Brussels.

"Since Russia's invasion on the 24th of February, more than 45 allies and partners from around the world have rushed security assistance of their own to help Ukraine defend itself. Now, that's a reflection of the global outrage over Russia's unprovoked aggression, and it's a reflection of global commitment to reinforcing an international order rooted in rules and concepts.

So today, I'm honored to have ministers of defense and chiefs of defense from more than 45 countries with us, as well as representatives from NATO and the European Union. And let me give a warm welcome to Ecuador, to Georgia and Moldova who are joining today's meeting of the contact group," Austin stated.

At a meeting in Brussels, Austin issued a call not to waste time and named the types of weapons that will arrive in Ukraine soon.

Austin also stressed that "the stakes are high" and that it is a crucial moment on the battlefield.