U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Ukraine, Military Transition, and International Engagements

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has been at the forefront of several critical discussions and actions in recent days, particularly concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the transition of the U.S. administration.

In a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany, Austin addressed the use of U.S. weapons in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia. He emphasized that no single military weapon would be decisive in defeating Russia’s full-scale invasion and noted that Russia has moved its glide bombs beyond the range of U.S.-made Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS).

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appealed to the group for more weapons support, urging allies to allow Ukraine to use the provided weapons to strike deeper into Russian territory. Zelenskiy stated, “We need to have this long-range capability, not only on the divided territory of Ukraine but also on Russian territory so that Russia is motivated to seek peace,” and added, “We need to make Russian cities and even Russian soldiers think about what they need: peace or Putin“.

Austin also announced a new $250 million security assistance package for Ukraine, which includes ammunition for High-Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and anti-tank and antiaircraft weapons.

In addition to his focus on Ukraine, Austin has been preparing the Department of Defense for a smooth transition to the next administration. In a message to the force, Austin emphasized the military’s commitment to a professional, orderly, and calm transition, reiterating that the U.S. military will stand ready to carry out the policy choices of the next commander in chief and obey all lawful orders from the civilian chain of command.

Austin’s message also highlighted the military’s apolitical nature and its commitment to defending the United States, its Constitution, and the rights of all American citizens. The transition preparations are ongoing, with coordination between the White House, the General Services Administration, and the incoming Trump administration.

Furthermore, Austin is set to embark on a trip to Australia, the Philippines, Laos, and Fiji to participate in a series of engagements aimed at strengthening U.S. alliances and partnerships in the region.