After the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, Austin told reporters that Italy, Denmark, Greece, Norway and Poland are among the countries that announced the new packages. Austin said Denmark would provide a harpoon missile launcher and missiles to defend the Ukrainian coast. “Everyone here understands the dangers of this war,” said Austin.
SECURITY COMMITMENT AND MILITARY AID FROM 20 COUNTRIES
“Russia’s unreasonable and brutal invasion has mobilized countries from all over the world. The courage, skill and fortitude of the Ukrainian people have inspired people everywhere. After the establishment of the Contact Group at the Ramstein Summit last month, we have made significant progress with Minister Resnikov and his team. “We have gained a sharper and more common understanding of Ukraine’s priority needs and the situation on the battlefield,” said Austin, referring to the new security aid announced for Ukraine.
“Many countries are donating critically needed artillery, coastal defense systems, tanks and other armored vehicles,” Austin said. Others have made new commitments to train Ukrainian forces and make their military systems work.”
Defense Minister Austin especially thanked Denmark, which announced it would provide a harpoon missile launcher and missile to help Ukraine defend its coast, and the Czech Republic for its significant support, including a recent donation of attack helicopters, tanks and rocket systems.
US Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley said at the same press conference that the US is still “a long way off” from sending its troops back to Ukraine. Expressing that the United States does not currently have trainers in Ukraine, Milley stated that the information in the media in this direction is a relatively low level of ongoing planning efforts. “At the end of the day, re-entry of US forces into Ukraine will require a presidential decision. We are still developing action plans and none of them have yet been submitted to the Minister,” he said.
AUSTIN: “USA POLICY IN TAIWAN HAS NOT CHANGED”
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin also said today that he believes President Joe Biden has not announced a change in America’s policy of military aid to Taiwan. “I think the President is clear that policy hasn’t changed,” Austin said at a news conference. When asked earlier today whether the United States would intervene militarily if Taiwan were attacked, Biden replied “Yes” and said it was the US commitment.
(VOA)