Brussels – United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin emphatically reaffirmed the commitment of the US and NATO to a free and sovereign Ukraine during a press conference in Brussels on Friday. This statement follows a recent defence ministerial meeting that addressed the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Austin highlighted the unwavering support the US has provided to Ukraine over the past two and a half years, stating, “We have been supporting him by providing security assistance in a major way, and we’re going to continue to do that.”
His remarks underscored the collective resolve of NATO allies to uphold Ukraine’s sovereignty and right to self-defense. “Like countries of goodwill around the world, our NATO allies continue to stand up for Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Austin noted, emphasizing that the US and its allies are determined to support Ukraine for the long haul. “We’ll stand by one another,” he added. The Defence Secretary outlined two key objectives driving the ongoing support for Ukraine. The first is a focus on immediate needs, as Ukraine seeks to defend its territory against Russian aggression. Austin praised Ukraine’s resilience, stating, “It has taken on the largest military in Europe and has successfully defended its territory.”
Austin reiterated that Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, remains intact, while Russian President Vladimir Putin has “yet to achieve any of his strategic objectives.” This resilience, he noted, is a testament to the effective support provided by the US and its allies. The second objective, according to Austin, is to ensure Ukraine is equipped to deter and defend against future threats. He pointed to the establishment of several capability coalitions, including an air force coalition that has delivered F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, and an artillery coalition providing long-term support in terms of artillery and ammunition. “These coalitions are designed to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to deter aggression and defend itself going forward,” Austin explained.
He commended the efforts of allied nations in rallying support for Ukraine and providing essential resources for its defense. When asked about the victory plan recently introduced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Austin refrained from providing a public endorsement but emphasized the commitment of the US and its allies to continue delivering the necessary security assistance to support Zelensky’s objectives. In a broader context, Austin reaffirmed NATO’s solidarity, emphasizing the organization’s Article Five commitment to defend all member countries.
“The US commitment to Article Five remains ironclad, and we will defend the sovereignty and the territory of every member country of this alliance, whatever changes lie ahead,” he stated. Concluding his remarks, Austin underscored the importance of unity among NATO allies, declaring, “That solidarity is the reason why NATO is the greatest defensive alliance in history.” As tensions remain high in Eastern Europe, the commitment of the US and NATO to Ukraine stands as a crucial pillar in the ongoing struggle for sovereignty and peace in the region.