Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umarov arrived at the Pentagon yesterday and met with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, but so far the Pentagon has revealed little of substance about the meeting. “The leaders discussed security assistance priorities, including air defense to protect Ukrainian civilians and critical infrastructure from Russia’s brutal aerial attacks, as well as artillery, armored vehicles, and other capabilities to help Ukraine build additional combat power to fight Russian aggression,” the Pentagon readout reported. “Secretary Austin and Minister Umerov also discussed plans for the September 6 UDCG to maintain the unity and strong support of more than 50 Allies and partners for Ukraine’s immediate battlefield needs and long-term security through the UDCG’s eight Capability Coalitions.”
Two days earlier, CNN reported that Umerov, along with Andriy Yermak, the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, were to present to President Joe Biden would be presenting a list of targets in Russia in face-to-face meetings this week, in an attempt to push the U.S. to lift restrictions on the use of American weapons against Moscow. In their meetings in Washington, Yermak and Umerov would “try to concretely convince the White House to lift restrictions on long-range weapons strikes on Russian territory,” an unnamed Ukrainian lawmaker told the network. “They will provide a list of priority targets, without which it will be difficult to change the course of the war in Ukraine’s favor.”
