US, Canada express solidarity on Ukraine, NATO

U.S. Secretary of State Lloyd Austin met with his Canadian counterpart for talks at the Pentagon Thursday, where they expressed solidarity on the conflict and the importance of the NATO alliance.

Talks between U.S. and Canadian defense officials took place on a day when President Joe Biden asked Congress for an additional $33 billion to aid Kyiv. Austin urged Congress to pass the aid package that Biden announced earlier in the day.

He also thanked Canada for providing Ukraine with armored vehicles and continued training for Ukrainian troops. Canada has boosted its defense budget, now ranking sixth in defense spending among thirty NATO countries.

Canada will continue to look for ways to provide additional assistance to Ukraine.