Fri Jan 10 07:40:52 UTC 2025: ## Outgoing US Defense Secretary Warns Against Abandoning Ukraine Amid Incoming Trump Administration
**Ramstein Air Base, Germany –** Outgoing U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a joint plea Thursday urging the incoming Trump administration not to abandon Ukraine’s fight against Russia. Austin warned that ceasing military aid would invite further aggression and chaos.
Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of continued international support, stating that abandoning Ukraine would be “crazy” after the progress made. He highlighted concerns surrounding President-elect Trump’s statements regarding a swift end to the war, his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and uncertainty about future military aid.
The Biden administration has provided substantial military support to Ukraine, including a recent $500 million weapons package and eased restrictions on missile strikes into Russia. Austin reiterated the need to prevent Putin from achieving his goals, emphasizing the continued importance of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group – a coalition of approximately 50 nations coordinating weapons support. He described the group as “the arsenal of Ukrainian democracy” and urged its members not to falter.
Discussions among the Contact Group members focused on contingency plans if the U.S. were to withdraw support. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius indicated that European nations are exploring alternative options. Pistorius plans to meet with Trump’s incoming defense secretary shortly after the inauguration to discuss the matter.
Zelenskyy reported on a successful Ukrainian offensive in Russia’s Kursk region, claiming significant losses for Russia and North Korea, although casualty figures vary. He stressed the ongoing need for air defense systems and munitions. The latest U.S. aid package includes these crucial supplies, with the Pentagon aiming for delivery before the month’s end. However, without further aid packages, significant funding will remain unspent, leaving the decision to Trump.
Austin highlighted the risk of escalating aggression if Russia were to successfully conquer Ukraine. Trump’s recent threat to potentially seize Greenland by force has raised further concerns among allies regarding the future of NATO and the transatlantic alliance. While Austin declined comment, Pistorius deemed the threat “diplomatically astonishing.”
The Ukraine war has prompted a global increase in weapons production, as existing stockpiles proved inadequate for a large-scale conflict. The U.S. has already delivered a significant portion of its approximately $66 billion aid package to Ukraine since February 2022. The transition to a Trump administration marks a new chapter, raising considerable uncertainty regarding the future of the conflict and the international response.
First Piper 