Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin declares that the United States is committed to supplying Ukraine with necessary resources to combat Russian aggression, despite the lack of approved funding from the U.S. Congress.

“The United States is committed to supporting Ukraine and ensuring it does not fail. The coalition and the free world also stand together in preventing Ukraine from failing,” stated Austin during the recent Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Germany.

Austin is embarking on his first international journey since being hospitalized on January 1 for complications following surgery to address his prostate cancer at the end of December. The UDCG (Ukraine Defense Contact Group) is a coalition of representatives from over 50 countries collaborating to strategize their actions towards Ukraine.

Since the invasion of Russia in February 2022, the United States has provided around $44 billion in security aid to Ukraine. Additionally, other allies and partners have pledged over $44 billion in support during the same period.

However, the armed forces of the United States have depleted their allocated funds from Congress for restocking the weapons reserves that were sent to Ukraine. The leaders in the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives have thus far declined to vote on providing additional aid for Ukraine.

A senior defense official, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity before the UDCG, stated that there is no feasible method for our allies to unite and compensate for the absence of support from the U.S.

According to officials, the U.S. military is facing a shortage of funds for Ukraine. The Defense Department has a shortfall of at least $12 billion due to their efforts in providing military aid to Ukraine, and this amount is expected to increase by the end of the fiscal year unless Congress provides additional funding. It has been previously disclosed by the Pentagon that there is a $10 billion shortfall for the replacement of military weapons that were already sent to Ukraine.

According to Col. Martin O’Donnell, the public affairs director for the Army’s forces in Europe and Africa, the U.S. Army Europe and Africa has exceeded its budget by approximately $500 million. This additional spending is a result of paying for the training of Ukrainians and other necessities for the Ukraine support mission out of pocket, on top of the already existing $10 billion shortage for weapons replenishment.

Without additional funds from Congress, the financial deficit is expected to reach at least $2 billion by the end of the fiscal year, according to his statement.

The Ukrainian military has been actively combating Russian troops in the Eastern region, causing significant harm to their forces and successfully taking down Russian aircraft in the Black Sea. Despite this, Moscow, aided by North Korea and Iran, has significantly increased their production of defense equipment, leading to ammunition shortages that have resulted in Ukraine being forced to withdraw from certain battles, according to a high-ranking defense official.

According to the official, Ukraine is at a significant disadvantage in terms of weaponry during battles. There have been reports of Ukrainian soldiers having to limit their ammunition usage or completely deplete their supply on the front lines.

On Tuesday, Austin expressed his gratitude towards group members for their efforts in providing necessary security aid to Ukraine. He commended the Czech Republic for their recent procurement of 800,000 artillery shells for Kyiv. Additionally, he acknowledged the contributions of Germany, France, Denmark, and Sweden to the cause.

Recently, the U.S. revealed a new wave of military support for Ukraine, marking the first time since late December. Defense officials described this as an impromptu aid package, funded by cost savings in U.S. Army procurement.

The assistance package given to the military is worth a maximum of $300 million and will supply Ukraine with instant air defense, artillery, and anti-tank capabilities. The package also includes additional ammunition for HIMARS rocket launchers and 155-mm artillery rounds. However, it is uncertain if there will be any future cost savings to create another special aid package.

The senior defense official stated that this is not a viable option for Ukraine and that congressional approval for a national security supplemental is urgently needed.

During the UDCG meeting, there will likely be a continued focus on ammunition and air defense. According to officials, Ukraine’s defense forces require additional interceptors for their air defense systems due to ongoing attacks from Russia.

Coalition leadership group

The UDCG has created coalitions to improve the distribution of military weapons and equipment to Kyiv by finding ways to enhance effectiveness and reduce expenses.

Defense officials have announced that Secretary Austin will hold a special session for the leaders and co-leaders of all capability coalitions on Tuesday, marking the first time such a meeting has taken place.

The United States, Denmark, and the Netherlands are jointly responsible for the capability of the Air Force. Poland and Italy co-lead the armor capability, while France and the United States are responsible for the artillery aspect. Lithuania and Iceland co-lead the de-mining efforts. Latvia and the United Kingdom oversee the drone capability, while Estonia and Luxembourg handle information technology. Germany and France co-lead integrated air and missile defense capabilities, and the United Kingdom and Norway are responsible for maritime security.

Sean McFate, a professor at Syracuse University and author of “The New Rules of War,” believes that the international community is investing in costly military assistance that is ineffective against modern warfare, according to discussions with VOA reporters.

According to the speaker, it was not traditional methods of warfare that repelled Russia’s swift attack, but rather the use of guerrilla tactics by Ukraine. He noted that Ukraine was succeeding in the non-conventional battle. However, in late 2022, they made the decision to engage in conventional warfare against Russia, which was seen as a foolish strategic move.

According to McFate, supplying Ukraine with traditional weapons for war would be a strategic form of madness.

Instead, his suggestion was for Ukraine and its allies to consider different tactics, such as guerrilla operations and direct actions within Russia, to use their power to defeat Russia. This could include capitalizing on the negative views of the war held by the Russian population.

According to McFate, utilize your standard forces to maintain the position, but refrain from using them to launch an attack that would require excessive resources.

According to the speaker, using M1A1 Abram tanks and F-16 fighter jets may achieve success in individual battles, but it is important to recognize that winning a war requires a strategic approach, not just tactical victories.

Source: voanews.com