Two months after the world believed Ukraine would fall to Russia, leaders are singing a different tune.
At a defense meeting in Germany, world leaders rallied to bolster their support for Ukraine as it continues to fight off Russian forces. Days after Austin and Secretary of State Antony Blinken left Kyiv, the U.S. leaders praised Ukraine’s resolve and said it can be victorious over the invading forces.
"As we see this morning, nations from around the world stand united in our resolve to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia's imperial aggression," Austin said. "Ukraine clearly believes that it can win, and so does everyone here."
Russian forces have been deterred from obtaining strategic objectives, such as capturing Kyiv, but they are keeping up unrelenting attacks, hinting at the threat of using nuclear weapons, and deploying dangerous tactics.
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Increasingly desperate moves could be a result of Russia’s unanticipated struggles, officials say.
Some estimates suggest Russian units have lost as many as 30% of their soldiers, a number officials say is too high to allow forces to continue fighting.
British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said 15,000 Russian troops have been killed in Ukraine and that 2,000 armored vehicles have been destroyed.
To ensure Ukraine’s victory, or at least its continued resistance, Western leaders have poured arms and money into the war-torn country. Those efforts cannot stop anytime soon and are needed now more than ever, Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told reporters traveling with him in Germany.
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"Time is not on Ukraine's side," Milley said during closed-door remarks. "The outcome of this battle, right here, today, is dependent on the people in this room."
"The Ukrainians will fight," Milley continued. "We need to make sure they have the means to fight."