Ukraine 'clearly believes' it can win war: US defense chief

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Ukraine "clearly believes" it can win the war against Russia, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday.

"My trip to Kyiv reinforced my admiration for the way that the Ukrainian Armed Forces are deploying these capabilities. Ukraine clearly believes that it can win and so does everyone here," Austin said during his opening remarks of the Ukraine Security Consultative Group that is taking place in Germany.

All of the represented countries, over 40, are "determined to do everything we can to meet Ukraine's needs as the fight evolves," he said. "We have much more to do. Ukraine needs our help to win today. And they will still need our help when the war is over."

The secretary said Ukraine's changing requirements as the battle shifts to the eastern Donbas region only underscored the urgency of the situation.

"I'd like this whole group today to leave with a common and transparent understanding of Ukraine's near-term security requirements because we're going to keep moving heaven and earth so that we can meet them," he said.

"Russia is waging a war of choice to indulge the ambitions of one man. Ukraine is fighting a war of necessity to defend its democracy, its sovereignty, and its citizens. But, the stakes reach beyond Ukraine and even beyond Europe," he continued.

The meeting hosted by Austin at NATO's Ramstein Air Base in Germany continues behind closed doors.

Russia sent troops into Ukraine on Feb. 24 in what it called a "special military operation" to "denazify" and "demilitarize" its neighbor.

The West has imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia in an effort to force it to end the war that has killed thousands and driven millions of Ukrainians from their homes, including over 5.2 million to neighboring countries.