Western allies are ready to move “heaven and earth” to give Ukraine more weapons and ammunition so it can continue to fight Russia’s “unjust invasion”, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday during the opening ceremony. session of the Extraordinary International Gathering at American Air Base in Rammstein, Germany.
The meeting, attended by Defense Minister Anita Anand, involves more than 40 countries and aims to direct NATO and other Partner countries to the same page when it comes to meeting Ukraine’s immediate defense needs.
More than a dozen non-NATO countries, including Japan and Israel, were invited to attend the one-day conference.
“This gathering reflects the galvanized world,” Austin said in notes prepared at the start of the conference. “Ukraine clearly believes it can win, as does everyone here.”
WATCH: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the need to arm Ukraine
It must move at the “speed of war” to arm Ukraine, says US Secretary of Defense
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says there is “no time to lose” in Ukraine’s armaments, as the coming weeks will be “decisive” in its fight against Russia. 1:16
Together, the Allies have sent military equipment worth approximately $ 5 billion to Ukraine since the invasion began on February 24. The United States accounts for the lion’s share of that amount: $ 3.7 billion.
Tuesday’s meeting was attended by many senior Western military commanders, including General Mark Millie, chairman of the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Canadian Defense Chief of Staff General Wayne Air.
In his speech, Austin accused Russian forces of committing war crimes, including the execution of Ukrainian civilians.
10-year-old Vova looks after his mother Marina’s grave while his father Ivan Drahun prays at her funeral in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 (Emilio Morenati / The Associated Press)
Russia, he said, is waging a war of choice against Ukraine “to indulge in one man’s ambitions” – a reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The stakes are beyond Ukraine and even beyond Europe,” Austin said, adding that the war in Eastern Europe was a challenge for the entire free world.
The meeting was also attended by Ukrainian Defense Minister Alexei Reznikov. Austin admitted it in his remarks.
“My Ukrainian friends, we know the burden you all carry,” he said. “And we know, and you should know, that we all hold your back. That is why we are here today to strengthen the arsenal of Ukrainian democracy. “
Secretary of Defense Anita Anand talks with servicemen after a tour of the CC 177 Globemaster at the Trenton Canadian Forces base in Trenton, Ont, Thursday, April 14, 2022 (Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press)
Entering the meeting, Anand stopped talking to reporters and discussed arms supplies from Canada to Ukraine and last week’s announcement that her government plans to send modern artillery and ammunition to Ukrainians.
CBC News reported that four M-777 howitzers were recently taken from the inventory of the 1st Regiment, the Royal Canadian Cavalry Artillery based in Shiloh, Manitoba, and taken off on a C-17 heavy vehicle.
The Ministry of National Defense confirmed the shipment in a statement at the time, but did not confirm the number of weapons sent. Speaking to CBC’s Power & Politics late Friday, Anand said “there are some details that we keep confidential for security reasons.”
M-777 artillery unit fires at target during Afghanistan war on 24 November 2010 (Murray Brewster / The Canadian Press)
When asked about Tuesday’s issue at Ramstein, Anand hinted that more howitzers could be part of the package.
“I will book [comment] for the exact number at the moment as it continues to evolve, “she said, adding that she would be in Washington later this week to meet with Austin one-on-one” on this issue. “
Given that the Canadian military has only 37 of the 155-millimeter guns, replacing everything donated to Ukraine is a priority, Anand said last week.
Canada has also sent anti-tank weapons, machine guns, small arms and ammunition to Ukraine. The federal government has said it is working to purchase armored vehicles on a “commercial model” for Ukraine.
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