Attributed to Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder:
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with his Swedish counterpart, Minister for Defence Pål Jonson. Secretary Austin thanked Minister Jonson for Sweden's significant support for Ukraine throughout Russia's unprovoked invasion. The two leaders look forward to working together at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting next week at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Both leaders noted the start of negotiations over a Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two countries, which will open a new phase of bilateral cooperation between the United States and Sweden. Secretary Austin congratulated Sweden on assuming the EU presidency this month and offered his continued support for Sweden's NATO accession.
