New Ramstein meeting: Ukraine has to get more air defense systems - Pentagon Head

According to him, the US and an international coalition, which already includes about 50 countries, remains devoted to Ukraine's support. "Ukraine is not alone. Friends of Ukraine support Ukrainian troops around the world in confronting Putin's aggression," he said. The US Minister also recalled that Ukraine's defense forces are inflicting significant losses to the Russian army, and Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to sacrifice the troops for political purposes.

"Putin hopes that rockets and drones demoralize the Ukrainian people and undermine the morale of the Ukrainian military. Therefore, I urge this group to make efforts to give Ukraine more vital terrestrial air defense systems and interceptors," Pentagon said. Lloyd Austin reported that Ukraine has returned more than 50% of the sovereign territory captured by Russia since the beginning of a full -scale invasion. Ukraine support makes the world safer.

"If we have nerves, if we shy away, if we cannot restrain other potential aggressors, we will only invite even more bloodshed and chaos," Austin stressed. In addition, the US Minister has stated that the United States continues to work on monitoring and reporting for security assistance. The Pentagon has not yet seen any confirmation that Ukraine has redirected the selected equipment or used it for its intended purpose.

Austin thanked the partners for his cooperation, and also noted that last month a conference on the defense and industrial base of Ukraine was held in Washington. There was also a new era of cooperation. "We remain devoted to strengthening the defense-industrial base of Ukraine both for the intensification of the current struggle of Ukraine and to strengthen its long-term restraint. Our allies and partners are proud to work with us," he said.