That more than half of all americans have now been infected. good morning and welcome to way too early on this wednesday, april 27th. i m jonathan lemire. the united states is set to lead a new coalition of global allies to coordinate defense and humanitarian aid to ukraine. secretary of defense lloyd austin announced what is being called the ukraine contact group yesterday while leading the first official meeting at ramstein air base in germany. there austin and joint chief of staff chairman mark milliconvened officials from more than 40 other nations to discuss the assistance efforts. i like this whole group today to leave with a common and transparent understanding of ukraine s near-term security
While poland says it s been working for years to reduce reliance on russian gas and there wouldn t be a shortage of gas in polish homes. many see that move by russia and in response to what is happening in germany right now, where the u.s. is set to lead a new coalition of global allies to coordinate defense and humanitarian aid to ukraine. secretary of defense lloyd austin announced what it being called the ukraine contact group. yesterday, while leading the first unofficial meeting at ramstein air base in germany. there austin and joint chiefs chairman mark milley, convened officials from more than 40 other nations to discussion the assistance efforts. i d like this whole group today to leave with a common and transparent understanding of ukraine s near-term security requirements, because we re going to keep moving heaven and earth, so that we can meet them.
Beyond. i will organize all assistance efforts in the greater middle east under one official, with responsibility and accountability to prioritize efforts and to produce results. i will rally our friend and our allies to match our generosity with theirs. i will make it clear to the recipients of our aid that in return for our material support, they must meet the responsibilities of every decent, modern government, to respect the rights of all their citizens including women and minorities. to insure space for civil society, a free media, political parties, and an independent judiciary. and to abide by their international commitments to protect our diplomats and our property. i ll champion free trade and restore it as a critical element of our strategy, both in the middle east and across the world. the president has not signed one new free-trade agreement
Trade in the middle east and beyond. i will organize all assistance efforts in the greater middle east under one official with responsibility and accountability to prioritize efforts and produce results. i will rally our friends and allies to match our generosity with theirs and i will make it clear to recipients of our aid that in return for material support they must meet the responsibilities of every decent modern government to respect the rights of all their citizens, including women and minorities. to ensure space for civil society, a free media, political parties and an independent judiciary. and to abide by their international commitments to protect our diplomats and property. i will champion free trade and restore it as a critical element as our strategy in the middle