exclusive: Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin defends US restrictions on long-range missiles in Ukraine in interview with FOX News, saying the war-torn country “absolutely” will defeat Russia even if it lacks such capabilities. claimed that it could be done.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the United States earlier this month and announced his “Victory Plan.” A key provision was to lift restrictions on ATACMS and other long-range missiles provided by the United States to attack military targets inside Russia.
Ukraine claims its long-range missiles can thwart Russia's deadly glide bombs, and many U.S. lawmakers have increased pressure on President Joe Biden to unleash long-range missile capabilities.
“Wouldn't denying them just prolong the war?” Fox News' Jennifer Griffin asked Austin.
Austin said Russia has already moved the aircraft used for glide bombs out of range of the ATACM, 300 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
“I think Ukraine has the capability to continue long-range strikes, and they will do so,” Austin reasoned, adding, “Ukraine has a lot of the capabilities that we have provided in terms of drones.” .
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin defended US restrictions on long-range missiles in Ukraine in an interview with Fox News, saying the war-torn country “absolutely” could defeat Russia even without such capabilities. I insisted that I could. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolfe)
“They now also have the ability to manufacture their own drones. I've witnessed it being done.”
As US aid stalls ahead of election, Austin warns there is 'no silver bullet' to topple Putin
Mr. Austin claimed that he and his military counterparts were working on a plan of action to implement Mr. Zelensky's “victory plan.”
“As you know, we have long said that Ukraine will become part of NATO at some point in the future…We are actually developing a plan of action to support President Zelenskiy's strategic plan. is.”
In a wide-ranging interview, Austin admitted he was “of course” concerned about the growing trend of isolationism in the United States.
“We are a world power. We have interests all over the world, and we need to continue to do what is necessary to protect those interests,” Austin said.
“There is no question in my mind that if President Putin is successful, he will continue to do what he has been doing. And of course all three Baltic states are very concerned and they We naturally feel that he will be the next candidate.” ”
And as the conflict accelerates toward its third year in February, Austin said he believes Ukraine can win and offered his definition of victory.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visited the United States earlier this month and announced his “Victory Plan.” A key provision was to lift restrictions on ATACMS and other long-range missiles provided by the United States to attack military targets inside Russia. (Reuters/Alex Babenko)
“Ukraine can definitely win,” Austin said. “And we define victory when Ukraine becomes a sovereign state capable of defending its territory and deterring future aggression.” (Reuters/Evhen Titov)
“Ukraine can definitely win,” Austin said. “And we define victory when Ukraine becomes a sovereign state capable of defending its territory and deterring future aggression.”
The Secretary of Defense asked whether that means defining Ukraine's territory by its pre-2022 borders, whether it should include the Crimea region that Russia annexed in 2014, or whether it should include Ukraine's territory occupied by Russia in exchange for peace. He did not say whether it would be abandoned.
Zelensky Victory Plan: Replace US troops in European outposts with battle-hardened Ukrainians
As some Republicans complain about the $100 billion worth of resources the U.S. has provided to Ukraine, Austin says aid to Ukraine has not affected U.S. preparedness and has provided jobs in the U.S. He claimed that there was.
“Every time you take a grenade out of your inventory, it has to be replaced with something else, either that type of ammunition or something better. Every time we trade it for something, those ammunition, those weapons are manufactured in the United States of America, and that means good jobs for people in many states in this country, which actually benefits us. I think it's an investment that will bring.
“We will not send cash to Ukraine. We will withdraw equipment, whether it be vehicles, weapons or ammunition, and we will replace those weapons and ammunition with something that is probably a little more modern and more effective. ”
Austin's comments came as Ukraine's Defense Secretary Kirillo Budanov announced that about 11,000 North Korean troops are stationed in Russia and will be ready for combat with Ukraine by November 1. .
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“Our intelligence analysts are seriously investigating this,” Austin said. “If this is true, this is very concerning and it speaks to the point that if it is true, President Putin has to be much weaker than most people realize.”
South Korean intelligence said last week that it had confirmed that North Korea sent 1,500 special operations troops to Russia this month. North Korea and Russia deny the move.
Austin also responded to concerns that European NATO members are not paying legitimate aid to Ukraine.
“They have made tremendous contributions…I convene a group every month, and this group is made up of 50 countries around the world…and that group collectively has about $51 billion in direct security. Germany has pledged $31 billion worth of security assistance.''And I think that's remarkable, contributing more as a percentage of GDP than the United States. There are some countries that do. ”
