US urges allies to increase military support to Ukraine

BERLIN

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday called on Western allies to increase their military support to Ukraine, stressing that the war is entering into a “decisive” phase.

“This is a crucial moment. Russia is regrouping, recruiting and trying to re-equip,” Austin told his counterparts at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base.

“This is not a moment to slow down. It's a time to dig deeper. The Ukrainian people are watching us. The Kremlin is watching us. And history is watching us,” he said.

Around 50 defense ministers and senior officials are attending the meeting, including Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Speaking via video link, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeated his plea to international partners for stronger military assistance.

“I’m truly grateful to all of you for the weapons you have provided. Every unit helps to save our people from terror,” he said.

But he underlined that Ukraine’s allies should speed up the delivery of weapons, and provide Ukraine with tanks, artillery and air defense systems for victory.

BERLIN

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday called on Western allies to increase their military support to Ukraine, stressing that the war is entering into a “decisive” phase.

“This is a crucial moment. Russia is regrouping, recruiting and trying to re-equip,” Austin told his counterparts at the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base.

“This is not a moment to slow down. It's a time to dig deeper. The Ukrainian people are watching us. The Kremlin is watching us. And history is watching us,” he said.

Around 50 defense ministers and senior officials are attending the meeting, including Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Speaking via video link, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeated his plea to international partners for stronger military assistance.

“I’m truly grateful to all of you for the weapons you have provided. Every unit helps to save our people from terror,” he said.

But he underlined that Ukraine’s allies should speed up the delivery of weapons, and provide Ukraine with tanks, artillery and air defense systems for victory.