United States – US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that using US weapons to launch long-range attacks deep inside Russia will not change the course of the war in Kiev’s favor, in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s demands that the West allow his country’s forces to use its long-range weapons to strike Russia.
“Washington and its allies will continue to provide strong support to Ukraine in confronting the Russian invasion,” Austin said at the conclusion of a meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany, announcing an additional $250 million in U.S. security assistance.
But when asked by reporters, the US defense secretary denied that allowing strikes deep inside Russia using Western weapons would be a game-changer, stressing that no specific weapon could change the course of the war in Kiev’s favor.
Austin avoided answering a reporter’s question about Zelensky’s comments that there were strategic targets in Russia that could be hit with long-range weapons, saying that Russia had already moved aircraft that could drop bombs on Ukraine beyond the range of the long-range tactical missile systems (ATACMS) provided by the United States.
He added that Ukraine has its own capabilities, such as drones, that can hit targets inside Russia that are beyond the reach of the ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles provided by Britain.
He continued, “There are many targets in Russia, it is a large country of course, Ukraine has many capabilities in terms of drones and other means to deal with these targets.”
But he stressed the importance of providing assistance to Ukraine, saying, “I think for the foreseeable future we will ensure that we continue to focus on helping Ukraine defend its territory effectively.”
Zelensky has long pressed allies who have supplied Ukraine with long-range weapons but asked Kyiv not to use them deep inside Russia for fear of sparking a direct conflict between the West and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
At a meeting on Friday, Zelensky reiterated his appeal to Western countries to supply Ukraine with more long-range missiles and lift restrictions on their use to strike targets such as airports inside Russia, saying that “Russia’s attempts to draw red lines simply do not work.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said last Wednesday in an interview with Russia’s official channel that “the United States knows very well where Russia’s red lines are, and it should not make fun of this matter.”
#Austin #longrange #weapons #Russia #change #war
2024-09-08 01:13:32
Table of Contents
U.S. Support for Ukraine: Defense Secretary Austin’s Stance on Long-Range Attacks
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has sparked intense debate about the extent of Western support for Ukraine. Recently, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed the issue, stating that using U.S. weapons to launch long-range attacks deep inside Russia will not change the course of the war in Kiev’s favor. This statement comes in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s demands that the West allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons to strike Russia.
U.S. Commitment to Supporting Ukraine
Despite Austin’s denial of the game-changing potential of long-range attacks, he reiterated the U.S. commitment to providing strong support to Ukraine in confronting the Russian invasion. At the conclusion of a meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Austin announced an additional $250 million in U.S. security assistance [[1]]. This move demonstrates the United States’ unwavering dedication to helping Ukraine defend its territory effectively.
The Russia-Ukraine Conflict: A Laboratory for Modern Warfare
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been referred to as an “open laboratory” for modern warfare, providing valuable insights into the nature of large-scale, multidomain combat operations [[2]]. As the conflict continues to evolve, it is essential for the United States and its allies to remain committed to supporting Ukraine, while also acknowledging the complexities and risks involved in escalating the conflict.
Ukraine’s Capabilities and the Importance of Assistance
Austin emphasized that Ukraine has its own capabilities, such as drones, that can hit targets inside Russia that are beyond the reach of the long-range tactical missile systems (ATACMS) provided by the United States and Storm Shadow missiles provided by Britain. However, he stressed the importance of providing assistance to Ukraine, recognizing that no single weapon or capability can change the course of the war [[3]].
A Delicate Balance: Avoiding Direct Conflict
Zelensky has long pressed allies who have supplied Ukraine with long-range weapons, but asked Kyiv not to use them deep inside Russia for fear of sparking a direct conflict between the West and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This delicate balance is a critical consideration in the decision-making process, as the United States and its allies seek to support Ukraine while avoiding a broader conflict.
Conclusion
the United States remains committed to supporting Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. While Defense Secretary Austin has denied the potential of long-range attacks to change the course of the war, he has emphasized the importance of providing assistance to Ukraine, acknowledging its own capabilities and the complexities of the conflict. As the situation continues to evolve, it is essential for the United States and its allies to maintain a nuanced and balanced approach, providing support to Ukraine while avoiding a direct conflict with Russia.
What is Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s position on using U.S. weapons for long-range attacks against Russia?
U.S. Support for Ukraine: Defense Secretary Austin’s Stance on Long-Range Attacks
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia has sparked intense debate about the extent of Western support for Ukraine. Recently, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin addressed the issue, stating that using U.S. weapons to launch long-range attacks deep inside Russia will not change the course of the war in Kiev’s favor. This statement comes in response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s demands that the West allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons to strike Russia.
U.S. Commitment to Supporting Ukraine
Despite Austin’s denial of the game-changing potential of long-range attacks, he reiterated the U.S. commitment to providing strong support to Ukraine in confronting the Russian invasion. At the conclusion of a meeting of the Ukraine Contact Group at the U.S. Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Austin announced an additional $250 million in U.S. security assistance [[1]]. This move demonstrates the United States’ unwavering dedication to helping Ukraine defend its territory effectively.
The Russia-Ukraine Conflict: A Laboratory for Modern Warfare
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been referred to as an “open laboratory” for modern warfare, providing valuable insights into the nature of large-scale, multidomain combat operations [[2]]. As the conflict continues to evolve, it is essential for the United States and its allies to remain committed to supporting Ukraine, while also acknowledging the complexities and risks involved in escalating the conflict.
Ukraine’s Capabilities and the Importance of Assistance
Austin emphasized that Ukraine has its own capabilities, such as drones, that can hit targets inside Russia that are beyond the reach of the long-range tactical missile systems (ATACMS) provided by the United States and Storm Shadow missiles provided by Britain. However, he stressed the importance of providing assistance to Ukraine, recognizing that no single weapon or capability can change the course of the war [[3]].
A Delicate Balance: Avoiding Direct Conflict
Zelensky has long pressed allies who have supplied Ukraine with long-range weapons, but asked Kyiv not to use them deep inside Russia for fear of sparking a direct conflict between the West and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This delicate balance is a critical consideration in the decision-making process, as the United States and its allies seek to support Ukraine while avoiding a broader conflict.
Conclusion
The United States remains committed to supporting Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. While Defense Secretary Austin has denied the potential of long-range attacks to change the course of the war, he has
