Ukraine’s battle towards the Russian invaders continues to encourage People with the each day examples of Ukrainians’ braveness and resilience, Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III advised Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at this time.
Austin reiterated to the Ukrainian chief that america will proceed to help Ukraine “for so long as it takes” to defeat Russian President Vladimir Putin.
It was the second Pentagon assembly between the 2 males. The primary was within the weeks after Russia’s unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine. “Since then, Russia’s merciless battle of selection has killed hundreds of Ukrainians, each troops and harmless civilians, and Putin’s battle has pushed tens of millions of Ukrainians from their houses,” Austin mentioned. “Russia selected aggression, however Ukraine selected to battle again.”
The secretary cited the Ukrainian victories in Kyiv, Kharkov and Kherson. “With President Biden’s management, america has supported Ukraine’s battle for freedom each step of the way in which,” he mentioned.
America has surged billions of {dollars}’ price of navy capabilities and provides to Ukraine because the invasion started. America has despatched Javelin anti-armor weapons, air protection capabilities, armored autos, infantry preventing autos, howitzers, long-range rocket artillery and extra to the embattled nation. “That has made a transparent and direct distinction on the battlefield,” the secretary mentioned. “We have additionally expanded our coaching to make sure that Ukraine can synchronize its fires and its maneuver capabilities to advance on the battlefield.”
Austin additionally praised Ukraine’s cooperation in making certain the U.S. assist is accounted for and going into the fitting arms.
Austin advised Shmyhal that he’ll proceed to convene the Ukraine Protection Contact Group to coordinate help for Ukraine’s pressing and long-term wants.
The prime minister thanked the American individuals for his or her persevering with help for Ukraine.
“We are going to win this battle,” Shmyhal mentioned. “However to attain it sooner and with fewer casualties, Ukraine nonetheless wants intensive navy help — extra air protection programs that reduce the influence of Russian airstrikes, extra heavy artillery, mortars and ammunition for them. We additionally ask you for rethink the opportunity of offering Ukraine with longer vary missiles.”
The prime minister mentioned Ukraine wants extra heavy tools, but additionally wants plane. He thanked Austin for the Abrams tanks that america will present to Ukraine, in addition to the Bradley and Stryker infantry preventing autos. “In trendy warfare, air superiority is essential,” he mentioned. “That’s the reason Ukraine is initiating the constructing of a brand new, so-called fighter jet coalition. And we’re inviting america to change into its most vital participant. America can as soon as once more show its management by offering Ukraine with F-15 or F-16 plane.”
Shmyhal thanked Austin for his management of the Ukraine Protection Contact Group, saying the consortium has grown to greater than 50 nations.
Austin advised the prime minister that he’s assured “that we’ll meet Ukraine’s protection wants by this spring and past.”