The secretary counseled his counterpart for Latvia’s continued help in serving to Ukraine defend towards Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and urged all allies to stay steadfast of their help.
“You are right here at a significant time for European safety and world safety,” Austin stated as he welcomed Spruds to the Pentagon. “Two years in the past, Putin launched his all-out invasion of Ukraine. He assumed Ukraine’s buddies will give in, when as a substitute we nonetheless stand robust towards Putin’s aggression. And collectively, we’re serving to Ukraine combat again towards the Kremlin’s struggle of selection.”
“We should not let up,” he stated.
The 2 leaders met following Tuesday’s announcement that the Protection Division would supply a further spherical of army support to Ukraine valued at as much as $300 million to help the nation’s quick air protection and antitank necessities.
The help package deal, sourced by way of presidential drawdown authority, is the primary to be accredited this 12 months. It was made doable after the Military negotiated a cheaper price for provides already despatched to Ukraine.
The newest spherical of U.S. help comes amid continued negotiations on Capitol Hill over President Joe Biden’s request to Congress to proceed essential funding for army and humanitarian support for Ukraine.
In a transfer that has but to move within the Home, the Senate final month accredited a supplemental funding measure that would come with further funds for Ukraine safety help. As well as, it might present pressing help for Israel following the Oct. 7 assault by Hamas terrorists and humanitarian help for Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
The measure would additionally present further assets for U.S. Central Command to discourage assaults by Iranian-backed militia teams and shield vessels working within the Purple Sea from assaults by Houthi rebels. It will additionally present essential funds wanted to bolster U.S. deterrence within the Indo-Pacific.
Protection officers have continued to underscore the pressing nationwide safety crucial for approving the funding.
“We urgently want Congress to move DOD supplemental requests,” stated Pentagon Press Secretary Air Drive Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder at Tuesday’s information briefing saying the newest spherical of help.
Ryder stated the PDA package deal, whereas offering pressing capabilities to Ukraine’s forces, just isn’t almost sufficient. “And the one option to meet Ukraine’s battlefield wants is for Congress to swiftly move the supplemental,” he stated.
Throughout his assembly with Spruds, Austin famous that Latvia stays among the many prime European contributors of army help to Ukraine relative to the scale of their financial system.
“Latvia is donating greater than 1% of its GDP to assist Ukraine defend itself,” he stated. “That simply proves that international locations of all sizes could make a giant distinction to all of our safety.”
Austin additionally famous Latvia’s investments in its personal protection capabilities, together with current purchases of Excessive-Mobility Artillery Rocket Techniques, naval strike missiles and air protection programs.
“These programs are essential on your safety and for NATO’s collective deterrence and protection,” he stated.
Spruds underscored his appreciation for the US’ management in unifying NATO allies amid Russian aggression and echoed Austin’s calls to proceed supporting Ukraine.
“The continual help for Ukraine is completely indispensable and instrumental,” he stated. “I believe we have accomplished so much collectively. Latvia believes that the regular unwavering help, continued help completely should be there.”