WASHINGTON -- Department of Defense Spokesman Lt. Col. David Herndon provided the following readout:

Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Dr. Colin Kahl met with French Ministry of the Armed Forces Director General for International Relations and Strategy Alice Guitton, Oct. 7.

The leaders discussed maintaining Alliance unity to continue support for Ukraine, discussed NATO's objectives for the forthcoming NATO Defense Ministerial, and shared perspectives on our ongoing work with partners in the Sahel, West Africa and the Middle East. They also discussed opportunities for enhanced cooperation to reinforce Indo-Pacific Security, as well as in the space and cyber domains.

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of maintaining bilateral dialogues such as this one, which promote information sharing and transparency with the United States' oldest Ally.

Dr. Kahl and Ms. Guitton agreed to remain in touch on these important issues.