Top Pentagon official says US "credibility at stake" over Ukraine
A US assistant secretary of defense has made efforts to alleviate the security worries of Washington's European allies regarding interactions with Russia. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Assistant Secretary of Defense Celeste Wallander has made efforts to address the security apprehensions of the United States' European allies in light of the ongoing challenges posed by the Ukraine conflict. On Tuesday, she acknowledged that the global perception of the U.S. has been undermined by this crisis, and she sought to reassure allies about future security cooperation in dealing with Russia.
During a panel discussion at the Warsaw Security Forum, Wallander emphasized that “American global credibility is at stake” in Ukraine. She urged that “the United States and Europe ... must work together for credible defense and deterrence against Russia” in addressing this pressing issue.
Wallander asserted, “The United States needs Europe – it’s not just Europe that needs the United States,” highlighting the significant defense assistance provided to Kyiv by European nations and their collaborative efforts in transferring U.S. military support to Ukraine.
Additionally, the senior Pentagon official aimed to allay worries about a potential shift in U.S. policy under a possible Donald Trump administration, particularly regarding the European Union’s defense initiatives independent of NATO. During his first term, Trump had frequently criticized European NATO allies for their defense spending, suggesting that he might reconsider America's security commitments to nations not meeting a specific spending target.
“What I want to emphasize is that Europe is not going to defend itself alone,” Wallander asserted, cautioning that “talking of Europe versus the United States… actually sends the wrong message, not only to Moscow but to Beijing.”
In a recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the “United States is doing everything to hold on to its global military and political dominance, no matter the cost.”
Anna Muller for TROIB News
During a panel discussion at the Warsaw Security Forum, Wallander emphasized that “American global credibility is at stake” in Ukraine. She urged that “the United States and Europe ... must work together for credible defense and deterrence against Russia” in addressing this pressing issue.
Wallander asserted, “The United States needs Europe – it’s not just Europe that needs the United States,” highlighting the significant defense assistance provided to Kyiv by European nations and their collaborative efforts in transferring U.S. military support to Ukraine.
Additionally, the senior Pentagon official aimed to allay worries about a potential shift in U.S. policy under a possible Donald Trump administration, particularly regarding the European Union’s defense initiatives independent of NATO. During his first term, Trump had frequently criticized European NATO allies for their defense spending, suggesting that he might reconsider America's security commitments to nations not meeting a specific spending target.
“What I want to emphasize is that Europe is not going to defend itself alone,” Wallander asserted, cautioning that “talking of Europe versus the United States… actually sends the wrong message, not only to Moscow but to Beijing.”
In a recent statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the “United States is doing everything to hold on to its global military and political dominance, no matter the cost.”
Anna Muller for TROIB News
