US defense chief vows to support Ukraine

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pledged support Wednesday for Ukraine as he spoke from home after his latest stay in the hospital.

"The countries of this Contact Group, almost two years later, are still united in common purpose. The Kremlin keeps on betting that we will all lose interest in Ukraine and that our support will flicker and fade.

"But I am more determined than ever. This Contact Group remains resolute, undaunted, and firm. And make no mistake. The US continues to stand foursquare with Ukraine," Austin told the 19th Ukraine Defense Contact Group.

The US will continue to support Ukraine's "principled fight against Putin's imperial aggression," he added.

Austin's remarks came one day after he was released from the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after undergoing “non-surgical procedures” for a bladder issue.

He had planned to travel to Brussels for the meeting but canceled the trip after being hospitalized earlier this week.

" I'm in good condition, and my cancer prognosis remains excellent," he said.

- 'Ukraine will not surrender'

Almost two years into the war, Austin said the coalition of 50 countries continues to support Ukraine's short-term and long-term security requirements.

"We'll continue to work together to get Ukraine what it needs to hold onto its gains, and to keep pushing back Russia's illegal occupation in the months ahead," he said.

He said Russian President Vladimir Putin's "indefensible war of aggression poses a massive challenge" to security and stability in Europe and beyond.

"The countries of this coalition, including the US, support Ukraine because it is the right thing to do, and because it is in our core national-security interests."

"Ukraine will not surrender. And neither will we," he said.

Earlier Tuesday, the US Senate approved a $95.34 billion assistance plan for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan by a 70 – 29 vote, surpassing the 60-vote threshold required in recent years for approval, although approval by the House of Representatives is far from certain.

On Tuesday, Austin urged Congress to pass a full-year appropriation. "Failure to fund the Defense Department in line with the annual defense bill would have serious consequences for America's security, economy, global standing, and democracy," he said.