We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/ScriptU.S. Ukraine Ramstein Meeting
HEADLINE: US: NATO Must Send Weapons to Ukraine ‘at Speed of War’
TEASER: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says Ukraine can win war as Germany joins NATO allies in sending heavy weapons
PUBLISHED AT: 4/26/22, 8:30 pm
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: London
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, Skype, Teams, Reuters, APTN, AFP
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 3:10
VID APPROVED BY: Holly Franko
TYPE: VPKGN
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO))
[[NATO and allied nations have agreed to step up their military support for Ukraine to fight the Russian invasion, following a meeting hosted by the U.S. Secretary of Defense — who warned the weapons must be delivered quickly as the war enters a crucial phase. Henry Ridgwell reports.]]
((NARRATOR))
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosted counterparts from forty allied nations at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany to rally support for Ukraine.
((Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary))
“Ukraine clearly believes that it can win. And so does everyone here.”
((NARRATOR))
Speaking to reporters, Austin said Russian forces have suffered significant losses.
((Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary))
“We would like to make sure again that they don't have the same type of capability to bully their neighbors that we saw at the outset of this conflict.”
((NARRATOR))
Austin said thirty countries had pledged 5 billion dollars of security assistance to Ukraine — including 3.7 billion dollars from the U.S.
((Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary))
“The coming weeks will be so crucial for Ukraine. So we've got to move at the speed of war.”
((NARRATOR))
Until now, Germany has refused to supply heavy weapons — but confirmed Tuesday it will send 50 ‘Gepard’ tanks fitted with anti-aircraft weapons.
((Christine Lambrecht, German Defense Minister (in German) ))
“That is exactly what Ukraine needs now to secure the airspace from the ground.”
((NARRATOR))
The West has been forced to act, says Fabrice Pothier, former NATO director of policy planning.
((Fabrice Pothier, Former NATO Director of Policy Planning))
“Clearly, the situation on the ground has changed. And the kind of civilian massacres that you are seeing have moved the needle.”
The war in Ukraine has shifted to the eastern Donbas region — with different military requirements, says analyst Bradley Bowman.
((Bradley Bowman, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies))
((cf. Skype logo))
“So wider open areas. Artillery is going to be a key part of this. The side that can have the most artillery fire precisely delivered quickly is probably the side that’s going to win.”
((NARRATOR))
U.S. rhetoric about Ukraine has also shifted. Secretary Austin repeatedly spoke of a Ukrainian victory.
((Bradley Bowman, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies))
((cf. Skype logo))
“If you combine Ukrainian bravery and skill and a willingness to defend their homes against this unprovoked invasion with Western support, which frankly we’re going to have to be able to provide for the long haul, then I think over the long run this will be a grand strategic disaster for Putin. But in the short term, let’s be clear, the picture is mixed.”
((NARRATOR))
But there are differences in the NATO family, says Pothier.
((Fabrice Pothier, Former NATO Director of Policy Planning))
“Between those who think that this is the moment where we can win it and really defeat Putin’s war of aggressions, against a school of thought of kind of more worry of escalation and of not punishing Russia, humiliating Russia, but rather just trying to stop things as soon as possible.”
((NARRATOR))
Russia warned Monday the Western supply of weapons to Ukraine risks ‘World War Three.’ Secretary Austin called the remarks ‘dangerous and unhelpful.’
Britain dismissed Moscow’s comments as ‘bravado’ and said it did not see an immediate risk of escalation.
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)London
Embargo DateApril 26, 2022 20:04 EDT
Byline((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, London.))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
