The U.S. hosted a forum of some 40 nations at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on April 26 to discuss ongoing efforts to support Ukraine as it withstands an all-out war by invading Russian forces.
Also attended by Ukrainian Defense Ministry Oleksiy Reznikov, the historical meeting saw countries pledge more heavy weapons for which Ukraine has been pleading as it fights to defend its land from a renewed invasion that started on Feb. 24.
At a news conference held after the talks, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin noted that several countries agreed to increase their supply of weaponry to Ukraine.
“We don’t have any time to waste. We have got to move at the speed of war. I know that all the leaders leave today more resolved than ever to support Ukraine in it its fight against Russian aggression and atrocities,” Austin said.
He specifically mentioned Germany, which has been reluctant to provide Ukraine with heavier weapons and now agreed to give 50 Cheetah anti-aircraft systems.
Britain, Austin said, agreed to provide Ukraine with anti-aircraft capabilities, along with Canada’s offer of eight armored vehicles.
“That’s important progress,” Austin said. “We’re seeing more every day. I applaud all of the countries that have risen and are rising to meet this demand. But we don’t have any time to waste.”
The defense secretary also denounced Russia’s aggression toward Ukraine, calling it “indefensible and so are Russian atrocities.”
A situation war map of Ukraine as of April 26 provided by British Defense Intelligence.
He said Moscow shouldn’t have the military capability to “bully” neighbors after the war in Ukraine and said it should be weakened as a result of the conflict.
Austin said the war is entering a new phase as Russia has shifted the bulk of its invading forces to the east and south in a bid to take over the remainder of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions that were initially invaded in 2014.
The World War II battles of the Bulge, which lasted 40 days, and Iwo Jima, lasting 36 days, were compared to Kyiv beating back Russian forces for 62 days now.
Meetings of the International Ukraine Security Consultative Group will take place monthly, Austin said.
