WASHINGTON: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin promised Tuesday that the United States (US) will not let Ukraine fail, even as further military aid remains stalled in Congress and Kyiv’s defense forces face shortages of munitions.
Austin’s pledge comes amidst Republican-led opposition in the House of Representatives, which has blocked $60 billion in assistance for Ukraine. Concerns mount as the recent $300 million aid package is projected to only sustain Kyiv’s needs for a few weeks.
“The United States will not let Ukraine fail,” Austin declared at the commencement of a meeting in Germany attended by Ukraine’s international supporters. “We remain determined to provide Ukraine with the resources that it needs to resist the Kremlin’s aggression.”
Explaining the source of the latest aid allocation, Austin revealed that it was made possible by identifying unexpected savings from recent Pentagon expenditures. “We were only able to support this much-needed package by identifying some unanticipated contract savings,” he stated.
Western Military Aid for Ukraine
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the urgency of congressional action on aid, stating, “It is critically important for us that the Congress soon completes all the necessary procedures and makes a final decision.”
General Charles “CQ” Brown, the top US military officer, underscored the challenges faced by Ukrainian troops, noting their need to closely monitor supply rates and execution strategies. Despite acknowledging incremental gains on both sides in the conflict, Brown highlighted the significant toll exacted on Russia, both in terms of casualties and equipment losses.
Austin provided grim statistics on Russian casualties and financial costs incurred since the onset of Moscow’s invasion in 2022, emphasizing the substantial human and economic toll of Russia’s imperial ambitions in Ukraine.
Despite the aid stalemate in Congress, Washington continues to lead international efforts in supporting Ukraine. Since Russia’s invasion, the US has played a pivotal role in rallying global support for Kyiv and coordinating aid from numerous countries.
