Ukraine can ‘win’ the war, says US defence secretary at NATO-EU talks

The US defence secretary Lloyd Austin kicked off NATO-EU talks on Tuesday, saying that Ukraine can win in opposition to Russia within the two-month-long battle.

“Your resistance has introduced inspiration to the free world,” Austin mentioned, as representatives from greater than 40 international locations meet in Germany to debate the Ukraine battle for the primary time.

“Ukraine clearly believes that it might probably win, and so does everybody right here,” he added, condemning Russia’s invasion as “indefensible.”

The US-hosted gathering at Germany’s Ramstein airbase is predicted to give attention to arming Kyiv, as Russia continues its onslaught in japanese Ukraine.

Mark Milley, chairman of the US Military’s Joint Chiefs of Employees, informed reporters the objective of the talks was to synchronise and coordinate safety help to Kyiv, together with heavy weaponry, like howitzer artillery, alongside armed drones and ammunition, in response to Reuters.

“The subsequent a number of weeks can be very, very essential,” he mentioned. “They want continued help with a purpose to achieve success on the battlefield.

“That’s actually the aim of this convention.”

Earlier this morning, Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko made it clear what she hoped the results of immediately’s assembly between nations and defence chiefs could be.

“Weapon, weapons, weapons,” she wrote on Twitter.

Talking at Ramstein Air Base, Germany’s defence minister introduced it could ship Guepard anti-aircraft programs to Ukraine, amid mounting stress from inside the federal government to offer Ukraine with extra heavy weaponry.

Russian Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov mentioned on Monday that by supplying Kyiv with weapons NATO was “in essence” partaking in a proxy conflict with Russia, in an interview broadcast on state tv.

He added that Western provides of refined weapons had been prolonging the battle, somewhat than bringing it to an finish, and warned NATO to not underestimate the elevated dangers of a nuclear battle over Ukraine.

At this time’s NATO-EU talks come as UN Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres visits Moscow to satisfy with Vladimir Putin and push for a Ukraine ceasefire.

Guterres has confronted criticism from Ukraine for going to Moscow earlier than Kyiv, and for failing to intervene decisively after Russia invaded on 24 February.

He has additionally been assembly Russian Overseas Minister Sergei Lavrov, earlier than travelling to Ukraine.

“It’s merely flawed to go first to Russia after which to Ukraine,” Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy informed reporters in Kyiv on Saturday. “There is no such thing as a justice and no logic on this order.

“The conflict is in Ukraine, there aren’t any our bodies within the streets of Moscow,” he added.

Austin’s feedback comply with a visit he and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made to Kyiv on Sunday, wherein the US pledged further help to Ukraine’s conflict effort, together with $300 million in international army financing and a $165 million (€154 million) sale of ammunition.

“They will win if they’ve the appropriate gear, the appropriate help,” Austin mentioned after their go to to Ukraine.

Quite a few international locations world wide, together with the UK, the US and France, have just lately pledged to provide Ukraine superior offensive weaponry, because the Russian military makes an attempt to seize territory in japanese Ukraine.