 Mr. Secretary, if you can hear us, we will turn it over to Dr. Wallender to begin. Okay. Go ahead, Dr. Wallender. Good morning, sir, and good afternoon to all the assembled delegations. And so first, let me extend a warm welcome to our distinguished ministers and chiefs of defense. Thank you for convening for today's 19th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. I'm Celeste Wallender, Assistant Secretary of Defense, and I will serve as facilitator for today's contact group. I would like to welcome Minister Umarov. We, as always, value your presence here at the UDCG and are looking forward to hearing from you today. So with that, let me first introduce Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to deliver his introductory remarks. Mr. Secretary, over to you. Thanks, Celeste. Good afternoon, everyone. It's great to see you all again. And I'm sorry that I wasn't able to travel to Brussels this week. I look forward to bringing this contact group together in person soon. I plan to be in person with you today in Brussels, but I had to return to the hospital for nonsurgical procedures. I'm in good condition and my cancer prognosis remains excellent. And I'm really grateful for all the well wishes. Thanks for working across time zones to join us for the 19th meeting of this contact group. As always, I'm glad that we're joined by a distinguished delegation from Ukraine led by Minister Umarov. Rustam, it's great to have you with us again. And I move that so many allies and partners from around the globe are with us today. That's a testament to this coalition's resolve and unity. And we won't back down. Ladies and gentlemen, later this month, we will mark two full years since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of its peaceful and democratic neighbor, Ukraine. When Putin launched his unjust and unprovoked war of choice, he was betting that Ukraine would fold. But he couldn't have been more wrong. Ukraine fought Putin's invasion with incredible courage and phenomenal skill. And nations of goodwill around the world rally to Ukraine's cause. The countries of this contact group, almost two years later, are still united in common purpose. The Kremlin keeps on betting that we will all lose interest in Ukraine and that our support will flicker and fade. But I am more determined than ever and I know that you are as well. This contact group remains resolute, undaunted and firm. And make no mistake, the United States continues to stand for square with Ukraine. And America will continue to support Ukraine's principal fight against Putin's imperial aggression. The Kremlin is sinking deeper into its self-inflicted isolation. But this coalition of some 50 countries worldwide is here to roll up our sleeves and get to work. And our allies and partners continue to shoulder the burden of our shared security. Almost two years in, we continue to send security assistance to the battlefield. And we are now building coalitions for Ukraine's long-term security. And we remain focused on accountability for the assistance that we're providing to Ukraine. We'll work together today on Ukraine's near-term requirements, including its urgent need for more artillery ammunition and air defense missiles. And what we're calling the capability coalitions are standing up and moving out. They're helping to build the foundations for a Ukrainian future force that will deter and defend against continued Russian aggression. And we will continue to adapt our support to Ukraine's short-term and long-term security requirements. So let me thank everyone who is leading the capability coalitions. You are tackling truly crucial tasks. That means building up Ukraine's future artillery force and supplying it with enough ammunition. It means equipping Ukraine with F-16s and the infrastructure to keep them flying. And it means ensuring that Ukraine has an integrated and layered air defense network to protect its civilians, cities, and skies. We'll keep using the NIMBO framework of the capability coalitions to adapt to Ukraine's evolving security requirements. Each of these coalitions underscores our unity and resolve to help Ukraine and to confront Russian aggression. We'll continue to work together to get Ukraine what it needs to hold on to its gains and to keep pushing back Russia's illegal occupation in the months ahead. The Kremlin's cruelty is especially clear during another winter of war. Putin's forces brazenly barred Ukraine's cities with ballistic missiles and Iranian drones. But Ukraine continues to defy the Kremlin and fight for its sovereign rights. And we will continue to dig deep to provide Ukraine with both short-term and long-term support. The countries of this coalition include the United States or including the United States support Ukraine because it's the right thing to do and because it is in our core national security interests. Putin's indefensible war of aggression poses a massive challenge to security and stability in Europe and beyond. And the Kremlin's invasion is a frontal assault on the hard-won post-World War II international order that condemns aggression, defends state sovereignty, and upholds human rights. So the outcome of Ukraine's fight against Putin's imperial aggression will help define global security for decades. And for people of principle and governments of conscience, standing aside while Ukraine fights for its very existence is not an option. Ukraine will not surrender and neither will we. And with that, we'll pause for a moment as our friends in the media depart and then start our agenda. Thank you.