US defence secretary seeks to stem discord with allies over document leaks

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin delivers his speech during the opening of the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany (Matthias Schrader/AP)

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin has sought to tamp down any discord between America and its allies over the massive leak of classified documents.

He addressed the subject in his opening remarks at a meeting on Friday between defence leaders from around the world to co-ordinate additional military aid to Ukraine.