Pentagon says where Putin is wrong

Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary, has said the Russian dictator was wrong to think he "can outlast us" and that support for Ukraine would weaken. In addition, the Pentagon chief named the key reasons why Ukraine is important for the United States and the world.

Source: Austin speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum

Quote: " Now, in both Israel and Ukraine, democracies are fighting ruthless foes who are out to annihilate them.

And we will not let Hamas or Putin win. And we will not let our enemies divide or weaken us.

So as we surge support into Israel, we remain focused on Ukraine." 

"And so, 21 months into Putin’s failed campaign of conquest, the Russian military has been badly weakened. 

Above all, that’s because of Ukraine’s incredibly brave troops. But Ukraine’s achievements also flow from bipartisan U.S. leadership—and from the coalition of some 50 countries that we’ve forged." 

"… we still urgently need bipartisan support in Congress to pass the supplemental to rush security assistance to our partners in Ukraine, Israel, and elsewhere."

" Now, despite his isolation, Putin believes that he can outlast the Ukrainians.

But he is wrong."

" Now, Putin also thinks that he can outlast us.

He believes that our coalition will splinter, that our willpower will fade, and that our democracy will just get distracted.

But once again, Putin is wrong.

And we must continue to be clear to the American people about the stakes in Ukraine." 

Details: Austin noted that the Kremlin is waging an unjust war of imperial aggression while Ukraine defends itself. 

He emphasised that "that gives Ukraine the huge strategic advantage of a just cause." 

The Pentagon chief once again stated that Ukraine is of great importance for the USA and the whole world for four key reasons: 

• Putin's war is a serious and direct threat to security in Europe and beyond.
• Putin's aggression is a clear challenge for the US's NATO allies.
• The deliberate brutality of the Kremlin is an attack on the common values of democracy and decency.
• Putin's war is a frontal assault on the rules-based international order.

"So the outcome of this struggle will define global security for decades to come. And we don’t have the option of sitting it out," Austin emphasised.

Quote: "So President Biden has laid down a clear objective: The United States seeks a free and sovereign Ukraine that can defend itself today—and deter more Russian aggression in the future.

And so we are working, together with our allies and partners, to help Ukraine build a future force that can ward off more Russian malice in the years to come."

For reference:

• Austin arrived in Kyiv on 20 November on an unannounced visit.
• In Kyiv, he met with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the President of Ukraine; as the head of the Pentagon noted, this was another opportunity "to reaffirm the United States’ steadfast support for Ukraine".

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