"We are determined": Lloyd Austin pledges to help Ukraine regain air supremacy

The United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said that Ukraine's partners will continue to ensure that the country has control in its skies. This is necessary to protect the Ukrainian people from Russian missile and drone attacks.

He said this at a press conference following the 22nd meeting in the Ramstein format. The Pentagon chief emphasized the unity of all members of the Contact Group on Ukraine's defense and stressed their determination to counter threats from Russia.

According to him, the meeting focused on helping Ukraine with additional air defense systems.

"We will continue to ensure that Ukraine has control over its skies and can protect its citizens and civilian infrastructure far from the front lines," Austin emphasized.

The U.S. Secretary of Defense added that Washington is aware of a new offensive by Russian occupiers in the north of the Kharkiv region. He called today's moment "difficult" for Ukraine and added that although the Ukrainian Armed Forces are fighting hard, Russian troops are "paying a high price for Putin's aggression."

"Ukraine is fighting for its life, which gives it a huge strategic advantage in a just cause. Meanwhile, Putin is trying to wage a nineteenth-century imperial war of aggression in the world of 2024. This is a terrible idea and a terrible strategy," he said.

As reported earlier, Austin said that the United States steadfastly stands with Ukraine and will continue to support it with military assistance so that the Armed Forces receive everything they need in the war against the aggressor Russia. The top priorities for arms supplies from the United States are now air defense systems and ammunition.

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