If Ukraine loses, NATO will fight Russia – Pentagon chief

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin believes that if Ukraine loses the full-scale war with Russia, the latter will be forced to fight the entire North Atlantic Alliance.

Source: Austin's statement at the US House Armed Services Committee hearing, as reported by European Pravda 

Details: Although the hearing focused primarily on Austin's hospitalisation at the beginning of the year, about which he did not notify either the White House or Congress in advance, the congressmen also asked several questions about how much US military assistance Ukraine requires.

The Defense Secretary emphasised that the approval of additional funding for Kyiv is important to prevent a situation in the world "where one country can redraw its neighbours’ boundaries and illegitimately take over its sovereign territory."

Quote: "We know that if Putin is successful here, he will not stop. He will continue to take more aggressive actions in the region. And other leaders around the world, other autocrats around the world will look at this and will be encouraged by the fact that this happened and we failed to support a democracy," he added. 

Later, Austin clarified that if Ukraine loses on the battlefield, the Baltic countries may be threatened.

"If you are a Baltic state, you are really worried about whether you are next. They know Putin. They know what he is capable of. And, frankly, if Ukraine falls, I really believe that NATO will be in a fight with Russia," the official said. 

Background: 

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced at a news conference last week that Ukraine had notified the United States, specifically Congress, of the need to approve a multibillion-dollar aid package within a month.
• However, in the House of Representatives, they intend to address the issue of avoiding a shutdown rather than helping Ukraine.

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