Free world will not allow Ukraine's defeat - Austin
United States and the Ramstein coalition will not allow Ukraine to fail, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in his opening remarks at the 20th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense on March 19.
"Ukrainian troops are now in harsh conditions and are fighting hard, and Ukrainian civilians are under constant attack from Russian missiles and Iranian drones,” he said.
“But Ukraine will not back down, and neither will the United States. So our message today is clear: The United States will not allow Ukraine to fail. This coalition will not allow Ukraine to fail, and the free world will not allow Ukraine to fail," he said.
The Pentagon chief also said that Russia "has paid a staggering price for Putin's imperial dreams."
Austin noted that the war chosen by Russian dictator Vladimir Putin will cost Russia $1.3 trillion in earlier economic growth by 2026.
He added that Ukraine has sunk, destroyed or damaged about 20 medium and large Russian Navy ships and continues to shoot down Russian military aircraft.
The Pentagon chief added that assistance to Ukraine is not an investment just for the struggle of Ukrainians against Russian aggression, but is an investment in European and global security.
Austin also noted that he had held the first meeting of the Capability Coalition Leadership Group, noting that together with partners, the United States are coordinating work on drones, resilience, command and control, training, and revitalizing defense industrial bases.
He said that the eight coalitions to build capacity have made "significant progress" in recent weeks.
According to Austin, it is possible to stop Putin if Western partners stand by Ukraine and provide it with the weapons it needs to defend itself.
"Ukraine's survival is at stake,” Austin concluded.
“And our entire security is at stake. That is why we will continue to stand together against Putin's campaign of conquest."
On March 12, the United States announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $300 million. The package includes artillery shells and GMLRS missiles for the HIMARS system. After that, the Pentagon said it would not be able to provide another "unplanned'' military aid package to Ukraine. The $300 million package was a "unique case".
On March 11, the Pentagon's website reported that the budget request for fiscal year 2025 included $300 million for Ukraine. The document said that the budget request was based on the 2022 National Defense Strategy, and that one of the priorities of this strategy was "countering the acute threat posed by the newly aggressive Russia."
The US Congress has not yet approved a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine. The Senate supported the bill on Feb. 13, but the House of Representatives is not considering it. CNN reported that the House may consider the aid package in late March or April.
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