US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday that striking targets deep inside Russia with US and other Western weapons would not make much of a difference in Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
“There is No one has the ability That, in and of itself, will be decisive in this campaign,” Austin told reporters at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and so-called allies. Ukraine Defense Liaison Group.
“We had this discussion about tanks; We had this discussion about other capabilities,” Austin said.
“There is Many targets in Russia – A big country, obviously,” Austin added. “And there’s a lot more The capacity that Ukraine has In terms of UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles] and other things to address those goals.”
His words represent a diplomatic pushback For applications from Zelenskyy And His new Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiha To allow strikes deep inside Russia with Western weapons, as the Kremlin maintains Terrorizes civilian targets From the base of Russia in Ukraine. Zelensky argues that Kiev’s gains in Russia’s Kursk region have turned the tables on Russia.
During an earlier speech in Ramstein, Austin said the US is “laser-focused on Ukraine’s priority needs.” Addressing Zelensky directly, he assured him “We Listen to your urges. And we share it.”
Ahead of the Ramstein meeting, Washington announced it would give $250 million in security aid to Kiev, while UK Defense Secretary John Haley pledged £162 million for 650 new multi-role missiles. A senior British government official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, said Britain intended to begin supplying them with missiles. By the end of the year.
Back home Zelenskiy faced outrage from the opposition who claimed his recent reshuffle of government ministers. More of a power grab.
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