Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III affirmed Ukraine’s resilience and the unwavering support of the United States in the ongoing conflict with Russia. During the 20th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group held at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Austin, alongside Air Force Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, convened with over 50 country and organization representatives to coordinate aid for Ukraine.
Austin highlighted the severe losses inflicted on Russia by Ukraine’s determined defense forces, including the significant toll of at least 315,000 Russian troops killed or wounded. He pointed out the financial strain on Russia, with up to $211 billion spent on the war effort and a projected $1.3 trillion loss in economic growth through 2026 due to the conflict.
The Secretary praised Ukraine’s military for their effectiveness, noting the destruction or damage of 20 Russian navy vessels and the continuous downing of Russian warplanes. Emphasizing the high stakes of the conflict, Austin assured that the U.S. and its allies are committed to providing Ukraine with essential capabilities, particularly in air defense, armor, and artillery ammunition, with an additional $300 million in security assistance recently announced by the United States.
A notable development in the meeting was the first gathering of the capability coalition leadership group, aimed at coordinating future support for Ukraine. Leaders from Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, and the United Kingdom were recognized for their leadership in supporting Ukraine.
Gen. Brown expressed admiration for Ukraine’s ability to halt Russian advances and retake territory, despite significant challenges. He stressed the importance of continuing support for Ukraine, highlighting the $88 billion in security assistance provided by contact group members, which not only aids Ukraine but also strengthens NATO and supports the defense industrial base globally.
Austin concluded by reinforcing the moral and strategic reasons for supporting Ukraine, emphasizing the threat to global security posed by unchecked aggression and autocracy. He stated that supporting Ukraine’s security is synonymous with investing in global security and upholding an open world of rules, rights, and responsibilities.–Web Desk