Austin assured the president of Ukraine that the US would keep assisting Ukraine “for as long as it takes” to dethrone Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The two guys met in the Pentagon for the second time. The first occurred in the days following Russia’s brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Since then, hundreds of Ukrainians—soldiers and innocent civilians—have died in Russia’s heinous war of choice, and millions of Ukrainians have been evicted from their homes, according to Austin. “While Russia chose to aggress, Ukraine opted to respond.”
The secretary mentioned the successes in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson for the Ukrainians. The US “has supported Ukraine’s fight with Russia for freedom on every step with President Biden’s leadership,” he said.
Since the invasion started, the United States has increased its military assistance to Ukraine by billions of dollars. To help the beleaguered country, the United States has deployed howitzers, long-range rocket artillery, armour-piercing Javelin anti-armour weaponry, air defence capabilities, armoured vehicles, and infantry fighting vehicles. The secretary declared, “That has clearly and significantly changed the situation on the battlefield.” We have also increased our training to ensure that Ukraine can coordinate its fires and maneuvering ability to advance on the battlefield.
Austin assured Shmyhal that he would keep the Ukraine Defense Contact Group together to organize assistance for short-term and long-term needs in Ukraine.
The prime minister praised the American people for their ongoing assistance to Ukraine.
We’re going to win this battle, Shmyhal assured. But Ukraine still needs vital military assistance to achieve this goal faster and with fewer losses. This includes more air defence systems to lessen the impact of Russian airstrikes and more heavy artillery, mortars and ammunition for them. Additionally, we request that you reevaluate the prospect of supplying Ukraine with longer-range missiles.
According to the prime minister, Ukraine requires aircraft and more heavy equipment. He praised Austin for the Bradley and Stryker infantry fighting vehicles and the Abrams tanks the United States would give Ukraine. Air superiority is essential in modern combat, he declared. “For this reason, Ukraine is assembling a brand-new coalition of fighter jets. And we’re encouraging America to join as its most significant contributor. By giving Ukraine F-15 or F-16 planes, America can show the world who is in charge.
Austin assured the prime minister he is sure “that we will meet Ukraine’s defence needs through this spring and beyond.”
