USA, partners in total pledge to provide more than $80 bln in assistance to defense of Ukraine – Pentagon chief at opening of Ramstein-17
The United States and other members of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group have collectively pledged more than $80 billion in security assistance to the Ukrainian people since the Russian invasion began, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said.
“We’ve gathered today because we share a vision for a world that is free, open, prosperous, and secure. So I’m proud that this history-making Contact Group has committed more than 80 billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine since the Kremlin launched its indefensible invasion. And I’m proud of your steadfast commitment. Our unity sends a clear message to Putin that he cannot outlast us or prevail in a contest of wills,” he said in his opening remarks at the 17th meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine.
Ahead of winter, the Pentagon chief called on the Contact Group to provide Ukraine with air defense capabilities to protect its people.
“Just days before my visit to Kyiv, Putin’s forces launched a new barrage of missile attacks at Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine to try to damage Ukraine’s energy grid. Russian attacks on Ukraine’s infrastructure could mean suffering and death for countless innocent Ukrainian citizens. But I remain more confident than ever that the Ukrainian people will stay resilient in the face of hardship,” Austin stressed.
