By james art The United States will provide Ukraine with what it needs “to fight for its survival and security,” Mr. Austin said in a speech at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine.
He noted that the US has provided more than $58 billion in security aid to Ukraine since Russia’s February 2022 full-scale invasion, making it Kiev’s main backer.
But President Zelensky has asked Ukraine’s Western allies to take several steps forward, notably inviting Ukraine to join NATO and allowing it to use longer-range Western-supplied missiles to strike military targets deep in Russian territory.
These steps met with a lukewarm response.
Ukraine is struggling to contain Russia’s ferocious campaign on the eastern front, which is gradually forcing Kiev’s forces to relinquish a number of cities, towns and villages.
It is facing a harsh winter after Russia attacked its power grid.
Mr Austin’s remarks were notable for what they did not include – support for Ukraine’s invitation to NATO or any indication that the US would support Ukraine becoming more aggressive in its defense with longer-range attacks on Russian soil.
With the US presidential election about two weeks away, US officials are taking a cautious approach. President Joe Biden has refrained from taking measures that could escalate the war and lead to a confrontation between NATO and Russia.
Mr Austin said there was “no silver bullet. No ability will turn the tide. No system will end Putin’s onslaught.”
He added: “Make no mistake. The United States is not seeking war with Russia.
“What matters is how Ukraine hits back,” Mr. Austin told the assembled diplomatic and military personnel at the academy.
“What matters is the combined effect of your military capabilities. And what matters is that we stay focused on what works.”
Zelensky said in a video address Sunday night that his victory plan had won the support of France, Lithuania, the Nordic countries and “many other allies” in the European Union, whom he did not name.
Zelensky said he had received “very positive signals from the United States,” but stopped short of saying he had Washington’s blessing for the plan.
Analysts say the US is unlikely to make a decision before the Nov. 5 presidential election.