Defense Secretary Austin urges persevering with help for Ukraine as one other winter approaches

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday urged different nations within the Ukraine Defense Contact Group to extend the availability of air protection weapons for Kyiv because it prepares to face one other winter of conflict in opposition to Russian invaders.

The digital assembly, the seventeenth for the reason that group was created after Moscow’s February 2022 invasion, was held quickly after Mr. Austin made an unannounced go to to Kyiv to satisfy with Ukrainian officers, together with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

“Just days before my visit to Kyiv, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s forces launched a new barrage of missile attacks at Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine to try to damage Ukraine’s energy grid,” Mr. Austin stated. “Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure could mean suffering and death for countless innocent Ukrainian citizens.”

The Contact Group has just lately centered on strengthening Ukraine’s air pressure and information-technology capabilities and is anticipated to subsequent handle the nation’s ground-based air protection wants, Mr. Austin stated.

“I appreciate the leadership of Germany and France in organizing this important initiative. Last week, they held their first virtual coalition discussion,” he stated. “We are marshaling resources from across this Contact Group to support these efforts.”

The former Soviet Union was a number one weapons supplier to communist regimes and terror teams all over the world through the Cold War, however Russia immediately has been compelled to search for navy help from North Korea and Iran. Mr. Austin stated Ukraine and Israel each face relentless foes who’re looking for their annihilation.

“It was chilling to see a delegation from Hamas — led by one of the terrorist group’s leaders — brazenly visit Moscow on October 26 to meet with senior Russian officials,” he stated. “Iran is fueling conflict in both Gaza and Ukraine by arming Hamas and Putin. Iran’s support to the Kremlin and Hamas harms Ukraine, stability in the Middle East, and the rules-based international order.”

But he stated the United States is absolutely able to persevering with its help for Ukraine even because it stands with Israel in its “hour of need.”

“I remain more confident than ever that the Ukrainian people will stay resilient in the face of hardships,” Mr. Austin stated. “That’s because they are fighting for their homes, for their families, and for their very future.”