If Ukraine loses, NATO will fight Russia – Pentagon chief
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"We know that if Putin is successful here, he will not stop. He will continue to take more aggressive actions in the region. And other leaders around the world, other autocrats around the world will look at this and will be encouraged by the fact that this happened and we failed to support a democracy," he added. Later, Austin clarified that if Ukraine loses on the battlefield, the Baltic countries may be threatened. "If you are a Baltic state, you are really worried about whether you are next. They know Putin. They know what he is capable of. And, frankly, if Ukraine falls, I really believe that NATO will be in a fight with Russia," the official said. Russian MFA spokeswoman Maria Zakharova commented on Austin's statement:Is this a direct threat to Russia or an attempt to come up with an excuse for Zelensky? Both are insane.
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NATO Will Be Drawn Into War With Russia if Ukraine Loses: Lloyd Austin
Austin made the remarks after being asked about Congress failing to approve a $60 billion military aid package for Ukraine, as requested by President Joe Biden. Despite significant bipartisan support for Ukraine aid, the measure has stalled amid a series of partisan disputes over border security and other issues.
"We know that if Putin is successful here, he will not stop," Austin said. "He will continue to take more aggressive action in the region. And other leaders around the world, other autocrats, will look at this and they'll be encouraged by the fact that this happened and we failed to support a democracy."
Austin later said that the Baltic nations—Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia—were especially vulnerable to the future expansionist ambitions of Putin. All three countries are NATO members, meaning that Russia would essentially be declaring war on the entire strategic alliance by attacking any single nation.
Pentagon chief’s ‘Freudian slip’ reveals US war intent – Moscow
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has claimed Lloyd Austin revealed the real US plan
During a House Armed Services Committee hearing on Thursday, Austin said that
- “He simply made a Freudian slip to reveal what they [the US] had in mind,” the Russian diplomat said.
- “They used to say they can’t allow Ukraine to lose, because Russia won’t be satisfied and would attack the Baltic states, Poland, [and] Finland next.
- It turns out, according to Mr. Austin’s frank words, that everything is exactly the opposite.
- We do not and cannot have such plans, but the Americans do.”
“Either way, it’s madness,” she said.
- Austin’s testimony was part of a push by the White House to get congressional approval for a $95 billion foreign aid bill, which includes more than $60 billion in funding for Kiev.
- The US and its allies have already sent Ukraine over $200 billion in military, economic, and financial aid for the conflict against Russia – disregarding Moscow’s warnings and objections, while insisting they are not directly involved.
The idea that Moscow will not stop with Kiev and move to attack the Baltic states or Poland next is the latest talking point of the US administration. Previously it has tried to sell the indefinite funding of Kiev by claiming Ukraine is defeating Russia on a fraction of the US military budget, and that most of the money would end up going to the American military industry anyway.
