About 50 defense leaders from around the world met on Monday and agreed to send more advanced weapons to Ukraine, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters.
Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said a discussion is underway about how the United States may need to adjust its training of Ukrainian forces and whether some US troops should be based in Ukraine.
The United States withdrew its few troops from Ukraine before the war and has no plans to send combat forces. Milley’s comments left open the possibility that troops could return for embassy security or another non-combat role.
When asked if US special operations forces can enter Ukraine, Milley said: “Any reintroduction of US forces into Ukraine would require a presidential decision. So we’re a long way from anything like that.”
Speaking to reporters, Austin declined to say whether the United States will send high-tech mobile rocket launchers to Ukraine, which it has requested. But he said some 20 nations announced Monday they would send new security assistance packages to Ukraine as the war with Russia reaches three months. He said that Denmark agreed to send new weapons to help Ukraine defend its coastline.
Biden announces that the United States will send more military aid to Ukraine
“We have gained a more acute shared sense of Ukraine’s priority requirements and the situation on the battlefield,” Austin told reporters at the end of the virtual meeting with defense leaders. “Many countries are donating urgently needed artillery ammunition, coastal defense systems and tanks and other armored vehicles. Others stepped forward with new training commitments.”
The United States and other countries have been training Ukrainian forces in nearby European countries. Austin added that the Czech Republic recently donated attack helicopters, tanks and rockets, and that Italy, Greece, Norway and Poland announced new donations of artillery systems and ammunition on Monday.
“The nature of the fight, as you’ve heard us describe it multiple times, is shaped by the artillery at this stage,” Austin said. “And we’ve seen serious exchanges of artillery fire over the past few weeks.” Austin said that during the virtual meeting, Ukrainian officials made their security needs clear. And he said they are consistent with what has been identified in recent weeks: long-range artillery and rocket systems, armored personnel carriers and drones. Milley provided the most detail to date on the increased US presence in Europe since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February.
Associated Press/OnCuba.
