US says it ‘will get Ukraine what it needs’ to maintain fight against Russia

The United States “will get Ukraine what it needs” to continue to fight its 32-month war with Russia, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said during a visit to Kyiv on Monday.
But he gave no indication the U.S. would consent to Ukraine’s wish to immediately join NATO or to allow Kyiv’s forces to launch missile strikes deeper into Russia.
Austin said the U.S. would hand Ukraine what it requires “to fight for its survival and security,” saying it was essential for Western allies to fend off Russia’s aggression.
“Europe’s future is on the line,” Austin said in a speech at the Diplomatic Academy of Ukraine. “NATO’s strength is on the line. America’s security is on the line.”
He noted that the U.S. has delivered more than $58 billion in security assistance for Ukraine since Russia’s February 2022 invasion, and that a dozen Western allies have contributed another $51 billion in armaments.
But he did not mention Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “victory plan” calling for Ukraine membership in NATO or letting it use Western-supplied longer-range missiles to strike military targets deep inside Russian territory.
The U.S. is fearful that targeting sites deeper in Russia would risk the threat of a direct U.S.-Russia conflict.
Austin said “there is no silver bullet. No single capability will turn the tide. No one system will end [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s assault.”
But he added: “Make no mistake. The United States does not seek war with Russia.”
“What matters is the way that Ukraine fights back,” Austin told the diplomatic and military personnel at the academy. “What matters is the combined effects of your military capabilities. And what matters is staying focused on what works.”
As Austin visited Ukraine, the U.S. announced its 68th tranche of military aid since the start of the war with Russia, about $400 million in new armaments, including munitions for rocket systems and artillery; mortar systems and rounds; armored vehicles; and anti-tank weapons.
As fighting continues, a Russian missile attack on the southern city of Zaporizhzhia killed two people and injured 15 in the city center and caused huge damage to civilian infrastructure, including a kindergarten and more than 30 residential buildings, regional Governor Ivan Fedorov said.
Russian drone attacks injured at least one person in Kyiv, officials said Monday.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Telegram falling debris from drones shot down by Ukrainian air defenses damaged several residential buildings.
Serhii Popko, head of the Kyiv City Military Administration, said on Telegram that as many as 12 Russian drones were involved in the attack, but that all of them were destroyed.
Russian drones also targeted Mykolaiv, in southern Ukraine. Governor Vitalii Kim said Monday on Telegram that air defenses downed three drones overnight.
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported Monday it destroyed 18 Ukrainian drones launched in overnight attacks.
Eleven of the drones were shot down over the Rostov region, while another four were destroyed over Bryansk, two over Kursk and one over Oryol.
Officials in Kursk reported there were no casualties, and no damage reported from the attacks.
VOA’s Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Some material is from The Associated Press.