Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III addresses media during press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Feb. 15, 2023. While in Europe, Austin hosted the ninth Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Belgium. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)
By Gary Raynaldo – DIPLOMATIC TIMES
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin said that one year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, “NATO is more unified and more resolute than ever.” The defense secretary made the comments at NATO headquarters in Brussels Belgium following a meeting of NATO Defence Ministers. A meeting of the North Atlantic Council (NAC) at the level of Defence Ministers took place 14-15 February at NATO headquarters. The meeting was chaired by the NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg. Austin hosted the ninth meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group that brought together 54 countries for continuing discussions on support to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
“It’s been nearly one year since Russia’s cruel and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and nearly a year since Putin’s reckless war of — war of choice plunged Europe into its worst security crisis since the end of World War II. Almost a year after Russia’s imperial invasion of Ukraine, NATO is more unified and more resolute than ever. We are determined to stand with Ukraine’s brave defenders for as long as it takes, and we are also determined to protect every inch of NATO territory.”
-U.S. Defense Secretary Austin
The American defense secretary also said Putin didn’t just assault a “peaceful and sovereign and democratic U.N. member state”, he also threatened the”hard-won system”, which is explained is a hard-won system of rules and rights that has made Europe stronger and safer for more than seven decades.
Putin’s “Flagrant Aggression” Changed Security Environment For Every Member of NATO Alliance: Austin
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at NATO headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 14, 2023. Austin hosted the ninth meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group that brought together 54 countries for continuing discussions on support to Ukraine in its war with Russia. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)
The U.S. defense secretary said the scope of the global response to Russia’s invasion was evident “when some 50 nations of goodwill” gathered for the ninth meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. “Putin’s flagrant aggression has changed the security environment for every member of this alliance and for countries around the world,” Austin said.
“We will not be drawn into Putin’s war of choice. But we will never waver in carrying out NATO’s preeminent task. And that task is to defend this great alliance’s people and their territory. America’s commitment to that core mission is unflinching. America’s commitment to Article 5 is ironclad. And we’re proud to work alongside our NATO allies to defend the forces of freedom and to build a safer world.”
-U.S. Defense secretary Austin
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark A. Milley answer questions during a press conference at NATO headquarters, Brussels, Belgium, Feb. 14, 2023. Austin hosted the ninth meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group that brought together 54 countries for continuing discussions on support to Ukraine in its war with Russia. (DoD photo by Chad J. McNeeley)
NATO Chief Stoltenberg Thanks US Defense Secretary for Support
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at press conference following meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels Feb. 14, 2023. (Credit: NATO.int)
“Secretary Austin, dear Lloyd. It’s great to see you again so shortly after we met in Washington, and thank you for coming to NATO. It is always a great pleasure to welcome you here. And most of all, thank you for your strong commitment to the transatlantic bond, to the transatlantic relationship, to NATO. And for your leadership, your outstanding leadership in providing support to Ukraine, the leadership of the Ukraine Defense Contact group, and everything the United States have done to ensure that Ukraine gets the weapons, the supplies they need to win the war and to liberate their territory. So I look forward to defence ministers meeting. Many important issues to discuss. But I always feel so assured when you are here, because then I have a strong supporter of our Alliance and NATO, and a strong support to Ukraine.”
-NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
