United States Department of Defense

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the U. S. Department of Defense signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in monitoring the use of international security assistance provided to Ukraine.

Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal today met with a delegation of Inspectors General from the Department of State, Department of Defense and the U. S. Agency for International Development.

The head of the National Police of Ukraine has signed cooperation agreements with U. S. agencies to strengthen the fight against fraud, corruption and illegal activities related to U.S. security assistance to Ukraine.

The total value of U. S. arms exports in 2023 reached a record $238 billion, up 16% from 2022. Of this amount, $80.9 billion was foreign military sales, up 55.9%, and $157.5 billion was direct commercial sales, up 2.5%. The growth is explained by the fact that countries are replenishing stocks sent to Ukraine and preparing for large-scale conflicts.

US inspectors arrived in Kyiv to oversee and ensure accountability of US military assistance to Ukraine.

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin threatened retaliation for the attack near the Jordanian-Syrian border that killed 3 US soldiers and wounded others. Austin blamed the attack on Iranian-backed militias and said that the United States would respond at a time and place of its choosing.

The Netherlands has joined the IT coalition to support Ukraine's defense efforts by allocating 10 million euros. Together with the Netherlands, 12 countries have joined the coalition to support Ukraine in the field of IT, communications and cybersecurity.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin plans to return to the Pentagon on January 30 after being absent due to treatment for prostate cancer. Austin, 70, has not publicly discussed his health problems.