Today at the key security summit, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is set to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to discuss U.S. support in Ukraine's conflict with Russia. Secretary Austin delivered a significant speech at the Shangri-La Forum in Singapore, emphasizing the alignment of the United States and its Indo-Pacific allies in upholding security and the rule of law, with a subtle message directed at China for alleged violations of international law, particularly regarding freedom of navigation.
Secretary Austin stressed the importance of maintaining military-to-military communications with China, highlighting the necessity of direct dialogue between responsible nations. Recently, Secretary Austin held a face-to-face meeting with his Chinese counterpart for the first time since 2022. During this meeting, he reiterated the potential consequences for China's actions in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and their support for Russia's defense sector, which is fueling the conflict in Ukraine.
The upcoming meeting between Secretary Austin and President Zelensky, accompanied by Ukraine's defense minister, Umarov, is expected to address the current battlefield situation in Ukraine and the country's defense needs against Russian forces. This meeting holds significant importance amidst China's presence at the summit and its continued substantial support for Russia's defense sector.
