NEW DELHI: Highlighting the direct implications for US security, Austin’s remarks underscore the urgent need for international support amid the ongoing conflict.
US defense secretary Lloyd Austin has issued a stark warning regarding the critical need for continued Western military aid to ensure Ukraine‘s survival.
During a meeting in Germany with the so-called Ukraine defense contact group at Ramstein Air Base, Austin, making his first trip abroad since being hospitalized in January, said, “Today, Ukraine’s survival is in danger and America’s security is at risk.”
He emphasized that maintaining the flow of weapons, equipment, and ammunition is critical not only for Ukraine’s survival and sovereignty but also for America’s honor and security.
Austin refrained from detailing the specific means through which the US plans to assist Ukraine absent further funding. A proposed bill aiming to offer Kiev more than $60 billion in aid remains pending in the US House of Representatives.
According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Ukraine has been losing territorial control due to US “inaction.” Despite ongoing efforts, President Joe Biden has been unable to convince House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, to pass the funding for Ukraine.
Following the discussions at Ramstein, German defense minister Boris Pistorius declared a new €500 million (approximately $543 million) arms and ammunition package for Kiev.
With most of its congressionally sanctioned funds for Kiev already spent, the Pentagon is seeking at least $6.5 billion to refill its dwindling supplies. On Friday, the White House revealed a new $300 million ammunition package, funded by Pentagon “savings,” capable of supporting Ukraine momentarily for about two weeks, marking the initial financial assistance from the US since the beginning of 2024.
Furthermore, the US has recommended that Ukraine broaden its draft to include younger individuals to bolster the significantly weakened front-line units.
Last month, Ukrainian forces relinquished control of the significant Donbass stronghold of Avdeevka, retreating chaotically against the advancing Russian troops and have since suffered extensive losses. This ongoing struggle led French military experts to assess, based on leaked documents to Marianne, that a battlefield victory for Kiev is highly unlikely.
US defense secretary Lloyd Austin has issued a stark warning regarding the critical need for continued Western military aid to ensure Ukraine‘s survival.
During a meeting in Germany with the so-called Ukraine defense contact group at Ramstein Air Base, Austin, making his first trip abroad since being hospitalized in January, said, “Today, Ukraine’s survival is in danger and America’s security is at risk.”
He emphasized that maintaining the flow of weapons, equipment, and ammunition is critical not only for Ukraine’s survival and sovereignty but also for America’s honor and security.
Austin refrained from detailing the specific means through which the US plans to assist Ukraine absent further funding. A proposed bill aiming to offer Kiev more than $60 billion in aid remains pending in the US House of Representatives.
According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Ukraine has been losing territorial control due to US “inaction.” Despite ongoing efforts, President Joe Biden has been unable to convince House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, to pass the funding for Ukraine.
Following the discussions at Ramstein, German defense minister Boris Pistorius declared a new €500 million (approximately $543 million) arms and ammunition package for Kiev.
With most of its congressionally sanctioned funds for Kiev already spent, the Pentagon is seeking at least $6.5 billion to refill its dwindling supplies. On Friday, the White House revealed a new $300 million ammunition package, funded by Pentagon “savings,” capable of supporting Ukraine momentarily for about two weeks, marking the initial financial assistance from the US since the beginning of 2024.
Furthermore, the US has recommended that Ukraine broaden its draft to include younger individuals to bolster the significantly weakened front-line units.
Last month, Ukrainian forces relinquished control of the significant Donbass stronghold of Avdeevka, retreating chaotically against the advancing Russian troops and have since suffered extensive losses. This ongoing struggle led French military experts to assess, based on leaked documents to Marianne, that a battlefield victory for Kiev is highly unlikely.