Donald Trump's November presidential victory has cast doubt on the future of US support for Ukraine in its war against Russia, with just weeks left to provide billions of dollars aid already budgeted before the Republican's inauguration. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned on Saturday that failure to continue to oppose Russian actions could have disastrous consequences.
Avoid isolation
“We can continue to oppose the Kremlin. Or we can let Putin have his way and condemn our children and grandchildren to live in a world of chaos and conflict,” Lloyd Austin said at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California. “The current government has made its choice. The same goes for a bipartisan coalition in Congress. The next administration will have to make its own choice,” he added.
He also emphasized the importance of U.S. allies and partners, which contrasts with Donald Trump's “America first” worldview. “Here’s the harsh military reality: Our allies and partners are enormous force multipliers,” the Pentagon chief said. “Ultimately, America is weaker when it stands alone. And America is smaller when it is isolated,” he warned.
Critics of Trump
The aid announced Saturday will be provided through a mechanism whereby military equipment is purchased from the defense industry or partners rather than drawn from US stockpiles – and is therefore not expected to be available in the short term for Ukraine uses it on the battlefields. The announcement comes after Monday's announcement of $725 million in aid which includes a second delivery of anti-personnel mines, as well as anti-aircraft and anti-armor weapons.
