Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III addressed Ukraine's capacity to continue resisting the Russian invasion during his address at the opening session of the Ukraine defense industrial base summit in Washington. The Department of Defense (DOD) was one of many departments at the two day event.
The summit, a two-day event hosted by the White House, Commerce and Defense Departments, was organized with an aim to bring together industry and government representatives from both the U.S. and Ukraine. The objective was to generate ideas that could strengthen Ukraine’s defense industrial base, as per a press release from the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
Austin said, "Together with our allies and partners, we must continue working to help Ukraine repel Russian forces today and build a future force for Ukraine that can deter Russian aggression in the years to come." He further emphasized that strengthening Ukraine's defense industrial base is vital not only for maintaining Ukraine's current war effort but also for bolstering its national strength and deterrence long into the future.
Discussions at the summit included how Ukraine can ensure long-term resilience in defending itself, according to a DOD media release. An agreement was signed between both countries focusing on developing much-needed weapons and sharing critical information to support Ukraine's armed forces in their conflict against Russia. These industry partnerships are anticipated to assist Ukraine in manufacturing spare parts that would enhance logistics and expedite their delivery to the frontlines.
Austin reiterated, "We must also strengthen the logistical and information technology systems that bind all of these efforts together — a robust and resilient industrial base that has hot production lines with strong, secure supply chains." He added that by gathering at this summit, they were striving to leverage American free enterprise and innovation towards achieving this goal.
He concluded by expressing confidence in their collective ability to support Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty over an extended period. "Together with our allies and partners," Austin said, "I am confident that we have all the pieces that we need to help our Ukrainian friends sustain their fight for their sovereignty over the long haul. It's up to all of us to put those pieces together."
