The U.S. is doubling down its support of Ukraine for the “long haul.” The commitment came down today from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, to support Ukraine’s defenders “indefinitely” through “all seasons.”
Austin spoke at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contract Group in Belgium. He said the group, which includes participants from more than 50 nations, NATO and the EU, would continue to boost Ukraine’s defensive capabilities. Austin also stated that the support doesn’t hinge on the outcome of any particular battle.
Austin’s comments come after Russia’s latest round of missile strikes against Ukraine. Those strikes wounded and killed innocent civilians.
The secretary of defense condemned Russia for targeting non-military sites, saying “The whole world has just seen yet again the malice and cruelty of Putin’s war of choice rooted in aggression and waged with deep contempt of the rules of war.”
Today, G-7 Leaders also promised to back Ukraine against Russian aggression for “as long as it takes.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
