Ukraine in danger puts America at risk, US defence chief warns as cash and ammo run low
The US Defence Secretary has warned that Ukraine's survival is in jeopardy as the United States' money is reportedly running out for its armed forces.
"It's a matter of survival for Ukraine and it's a matter of security for America," said Lloyd J Austin.
During his visit to the 20th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Mr Austin spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, and representatives from 50 other countries to discuss the defence of the nation.
The US Defence Secretary said the protection of Ukraine was in America's interest.
"The US recently announced new US security assistance sourced from previous drawdowns," he said. "Today, we are fully determined to keep US security assistance and ammunition flowing to Ukraine.
"We remain determined to provide Ukraine with the resources that it needs to resist the Kremlin's aggression.
"For more than two years, Ukraine's forces have fought Putin's aggression with defiance and skill.
"Russia has paid a staggering cost for Putin's imperial dreams. At least 315,000 Russian troops have been killed or wounded."
Mr Austin warned that Ukraine's survival was in danger and that America’s security was at risk due to the situation.
He vowed that the country's supply of ammunition and security assistance would be maintained in the face of Russian aggression.
"And that's a matter of survival and sovereignty for Ukraine and it's a matter of honour and security for America," he added.
Mr Austin also said he believed there was a bipartisan consensus in Congress for passing a supplemental bill that would continue to fund aid for Ukraine.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had earlier warned Ukraine was running out of ammunition, not courage.
A lack of funding for Ukraine is believed to have affected troops on the ground, leading to resources becoming scarce in the face of the advancing Russian forces.
"I think our allies are acutely aware of our funding situation and the Ukrainians more so than anyone because of the shortages that are resulting from us not being able to supply them," a senior US defence official said.
This follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's latest appeal to the West this week to supply more air defences.
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