JAKARTA - Ukraine desperately needs more military aid, the United States and NATO said on Tuesday, pledging Western support would not falter in the face of Russia's new attack, ahead of a year of the invasion that began in February last year.
The Western defense minister met in Brussels to discuss the provisions of the new weapons to Kyiv, which called for greater firepower, and maintenance of existing supplies including bullets whose production could barely keep up with the war.
"Ukraine has urgent requirements to help it fulfill this important moment of war travel," US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at a meeting called the Ramstein ally group.
Secretary Austin said he expects Ukrainian troops to carry out their own attacks in the spring, with Kyiv allies working to ensure they have armored, firing power and logistics to make them effective.
"We believe there will be opportunities for them to take the initiative," Minister Austin said.
"Kremlin is still betting on waiting for us, but one more year we are united as before. That joint determination will help maintain Ukraine's momentum in the coming important weeks," he said.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia was in a hurry to reach as many attacks as possible before Kyiv and its allies could gather forces.
"That's why speed is so important. Speed in all ways - adopting decisions, making decisions, sending supplies, training. Speed of saving people's lives, speed of restoring security," he said in a late video speech.
Furthermore, President Zelensky thanked allies for their pledge of more air defense weapons, tanks, artillery, bullets and training, saying much of what had been discussed should be kept secret.
Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg gave the same message about the invasion of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"We see no sign that President Putin is preparing for peace. What we see otherwise, he is preparing for more war, for new attacks and new attacks," Stoltenberg said.
Separately, top US general Mark Milley said Russia had lost to the world.
"Russia is now a global paria and the world remains inspired by Ukraine's courage and resilience. In short, Russia has lost: they have lost strategically, operationally and tactically," said the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.
NATO defense minister met with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov after a Ramstein group meeting.
The Alliance plans to raise targets to stockpile ammunition, as Kyiv burns bullets much faster than the West can produce, making stock run out quickly.
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