Putin has ‘probably given up’ on taking Kyiv, Austin says

Russian President Vladimir Putin has “most likely given up” on taking the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin acknowledged Thursday.

Austin made the assertion throughout testimony earlier than the Senate Armed Providers Committee on Thursday. Each he and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers, acknowledged that Russia has now shifted its focus to taking southeastern Ukraine.

“Putin thought he might actually quickly take over the nation of Ukraine, very quickly take over the capital metropolis; he was unsuitable,” Austin testified. “I feel Putin has most likely given up on his effort to seize the capital metropolis and is now targeted on the south and east of the nation.”

THE PENTAGON IS INVESTIGATING EXTREMISM IN THE MILITARY. HERE’S HOW BAD THE PROBLEM IS

Austin’s assertion got here in the future after Milley testified earlier than a Home committee that the Ukraine warfare was going to final “not less than years for positive.” Milley had beforehand predicted in early February that Kyiv might fall inside 72 hours of a Russian invasion.

Milley delivered the dire prediction for Ukraine to Congress throughout closed hearings on Feb. 2 and three, saying Ukraine would possible lose 15,000 troops in comparison with Russia’s 4,000.

 RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE: LIVE UPDATES 

Rep. Invoice Keating, D-Mass., pressed Milley on Tuesday relating to what he now thought the timeline of the battle could be.

“It’s a bit early, nonetheless,” Milley responded. “Regardless that we’re a month-plus into the warfare, there’s a lot of the bottom warfare left in Ukraine. However I do assume this can be a very protracted battle, and I feel it’s not less than measured in years. I don’t learn about a decade, however not less than years for positive.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Whereas the U.S. and NATO have acknowledged that their troops won’t deploy to defend Ukraine, President Joe Biden joked about the potential of an expanded battle with Russia on Wednesday.

“This combat is way from over,” Biden mentioned in a speech to U.S. union staff. “This is the purpose: This warfare might proceed for a very long time, however the US will proceed to face with Ukraine and the Ukrainian individuals of their combat for freedom.”

“And by the best way, if I gotta go to warfare I am going with you guys. I imply it,” he added.

The U.S. army has restricted its deployments to close by NATO international locations, and the president has vowed to defend “each inch” of NATO territory.