Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:
On December 15, 2021, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Canadian Minister of National Defence Anita Anand on the phone to discuss Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, defense investments, and NORAD modernization.
The two leaders discussed their concerns over the Russian build-up around Ukraine and reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also discussed security in the Indo-Pacific and China's increasing assertiveness in the region.
Secretary Austin and Minister Anand agreed on the importance of investment in modern, ready, and capable forces, and the need to continue to modernize the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
