Austin said to reporters in Poland that he had the mindset of winning, and that he wanted to help them win. This was just a day after a three-hour meeting in person with Zelenskyy, a Ukrainian citizen.
Austin stated that the nature and character of the conflict in Ukraine has changed since Russia moved away from the northern forests to concentrate on , the eastern industrial heartland for the Donbas. The nature of the battle has changed and so Ukraine’s military requirements have evolved. Zelenskyy now focuses on tanks and artillery, as well as other munitions.
Austin stated, “The first step to winning is believing you can win.” We believe they can win if given the right equipment and support. And we will do everything possible to make sure that happens.
Austin was asked about the U.S.’s definition of success and he said, “We want Ukraine to remain a sovereign nation, a democratic state able to defend its sovereign territory.” We want Russia to be weakened so that it cannot do things like invade Ukraine.
Blinken’s and Austin’s visit to Washington was the most high-profile American visit to Washington since late February when Russia invaded.
They informed Zelenskyy’s advisers that the U.S. would provide foreign military financing in excess of $300 million and approved the sale of ammunition worth $165 million.
Blinken stated that “we had the opportunity to show directly our strong continuing support for the Ukrainian government” “This was, according to our judgment, a significant moment to be there and to have detailed face-to-face discussions in detail.
Blinken stated that their three-hour meeting with the Ukrainians was for broad-ranging discussions, including what assistance the country will need in the coming weeks.
Blinken stated that the strategy that was put in place, which included massive support for Ukraine and massive pressure on Russia, as well as solidarity with over 30 countries involved in these efforts, had real results. Russia is failing to achieve its war goals. Ukraine is succeeding. Russia’s primary goal was to subjugate Ukraine and take away its sovereignty and independence. This has not worked.”
Dmytro Kuleba Ukraine’s foreign minister praised Lloyd and Blinken’s visit to Kyiv and said they were representatives of “the country which did more than any country in the world.”
Kuleba stated that “we appreciate everything that’s been done, even by the United States.” “We are aware that some people consider what has been accomplished a revolution. However, this does not mean that the war will cease.
Kuleba stated that the West must speed up delivery of weapons to Ukraine if it wants Ukraine to win the war. According to Kuleba, it takes more time for partners to offer Ukraine the most advanced equipment than for Ukrainians to be able to use it.
He said that “it will be true to state that the United States now leads the effort in ensuring that Ukraine transitions to Western-style weaponry, and in organizing trainings for Ukrainian soldiers.”
As expected, President Joe Biden on Monday nominated Bridget Brink as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine. Brink is a career foreign service officer and has been serving as the ambassador to Slovakia since 2019. Prior assignments included Uzbekistan, Georgia, Georgia, and Serbia. She also worked with the White House National Security Council. The U.S. Senate must confirm her appointment.
This announcement comes as American diplomats prepare for a return to Ukraine next week. However, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv will remain closed at this time.
Journalists who traveled to Poland with Austin and Blinken were forbidden from reporting on the trip, they were also prohibited from accompanying them on the overland journey to Ukraine and from identifying where they met up with Cabinet members on their return. The Pentagon and the State Department cited security concerns.
Blinken and Austin announced $713 million in foreign military funding for Ukraine and 15 allied partner countries. Some $322 million was earmarked for Kyiv. Officials said that the rest will be divided among NATO members and other countries that have supplied Ukraine with vital military supplies since the start of the war with Russia.
This financing is different than previous U.S. military aid for Ukraine. This is not a gift of drained U.S. Defense Department stocks, but cash that countries can use for any supplies they may need.
Officials said that the new money and $165 million worth of ammunition made in non-U.S. compliant with Soviet-era weapons used by the Ukrainians brought the total American military aid to Ukraine to $3.7billion since the invasion.
Biden has charged Putin with genocide in connection to the destruction and death caused by Ukraine’s war on terror. On Thursday, Biden stated that he would offer a new package $800,000,000 in military aid for Ukraine. This included heavy artillery and drones.
Last month, Congress approved $6.5 Billion for military assistance as part of $13.6 Billion in spending for Ukraine and its allies to respond to the Russian invasion.
Blinken will return from Poland to Washington, while Austin will travel to Ramstein (Germany) for a meeting Tuesday between NATO defense ministers as well as other donors.
Officials said that the discussion will focus on battlefield updates from the ground as well as additional security assistance for Ukraine. It will also discuss longer-term defense requirements in Europe. This includes how to increase military production to compensate for the losses caused by the conflict in Ukraine. Representatives from more than 20 countries are expected to attend the meeting.
