Austin: Ukraine war 'a marathon, and not a sprint'

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin urged nations to keep support to Ukraine flowing as it fights Russia’s invasion, calling the war efforts “a marathon, and not a sprint” during a meeting with world leaders on Thursday.

Austin’s remarks came during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, which included defense ministers from nearly 50 countries assisting Kyiv’s war efforts. It's the 13th time the coalition has gathered since the war began.

“Ukraine's fight is a marathon, and not a sprint. So we will continue to provide Ukraine with the urgent capabilities that it needs to meet this moment, as well as what it needs to keep itself secure for the long term from Russian aggression,” Austin said.

Washington has earmarked tens of billions of dollars in support for Ukraine since Russia invaded the neighboring country in February 2022, and the U.S. is in it for “the long haul,” Austin said. Those supporting the war effort must "dig deep" to provide Kyiv with munitions and air defense capabilities, he added.

Ukraine recently commenced its much-anticipated counteroffensive attacks against enemy troops, retaking several villages but also losing Western fighting vehicles and tanks in the process.

At the last meeting in May, the contact group announced an initiative led by the Netherlands and Denmark to train Ukrainian pilots on aircraft, including F-16s. Throughout the war, the coalition has been critical for bolstering Kyiv’s forces, helping the nation create a formidable, modern military on short notice.

“The Kremlin's imperial ambitions have inflicted unimaginable suffering on the Ukrainian people,” Austin said. “Together, we will stay united.”