How the war in Ukraine will end: Pentagon chief Austin's view
Photo: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin (Getty Images)
The war in Ukraine will end through negotiations. Meanwhile, the necessity of continuing support for Ukraine remains, says US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin after the meeting with Pope Francis.
"We need to reduce tensions in the Middle East and find a way to achieve a transition period in Ukraine. We will continue to support Ukraine, as we have said, and they will determine when it is time to sit down at the negotiating table. But, I've said it before, this conflict will end with negotiations at some point," he stated.
During a meeting with the Pope, issues of global security were discussed, as well as the importance of peace initiatives in conflict zones, including the Middle East and Ukraine.
Austin expressed gratitude to the Vatican for its humanitarian efforts and emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to alleviate the suffering of those affected by wars.
US assistance to Ukraine
The US has provided comprehensive support to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. This assistance goes far beyond simply providing weapons and ammunition.
Among other things, the US has supplied Ukraine with a wide range of weapons, from Javelin anti-tank systems to modern HIMARS rocket artillery systems. This has significantly enhanced the combat capability of the Ukrainian army and enabled it to resist Russian forces.
In October, US President Joe Biden announced a new aid package of $425 million.
According to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, this is just part of a larger program under which Ukraine will receive several packages of military assistance totaling between $500 million to $750 million by the end of the year.
