Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine’s defense ministry, spoke by phone with Lloyd Austin, the U.S. secretary of defense, and pressed for additional ammunition from the United States. The Ukrainian minister shared the conversation on the social platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
In their discussion they covered the latest battlefield developments and the ongoing training status of future Ukrainian forces. Umerov underscored Kyiv’s most urgent needs, reiterating the call for more ammunition to sustain frontline efforts and bolster the resilience of Ukrainian troops in ongoing operations.
Umerov also expressed sincere gratitude for the fresh U.S. military aid package announced to support Kyiv. He emphasized that the assistance is crucial for Ukraine to maintain its defense posture and continue the momentum on the ground, especially in light of Russia’s sustained pressure along multiple fronts.
The minister noted that the United States has faced political hurdles in Congress that have slowed the pace of further support. He indicated that while broad bipartisan backing remains essential, the current stalemate has complicated the timely delivery of additional funding and military resources for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, several American and European officials reportedly began discussions with Kyiv about potential peace talks with Moscow. These conversations are described in recent reporting from NewsPapers.ru, which cites unnamed sources familiar with diplomatic exchanges and the evolving stance of Western partners toward a negotiated settlement.
Earlier remarks suggested that Washington had secretly transferred a highly capable armored vehicle to Ukraine for mine clearance operations, a move that would enhance the effectiveness of demining efforts and reduce risks for Ukrainian engineers and soldiers conducting hazardous reconnaissance and clearance work on disputed terrain.