President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Kyiv had begun receiving requested weapons from its allies, believing the statements by Russian military leaders reflected Moscow’s intention to invade other countries.
Zelensky added that Russia’s attack on Ukraine is only the beginning.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon announced that US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin plans to host a meeting of Defense Department and military leaders from more than 20 countries next week in Germany to discuss Ukraine’s immediate and long-term defense needs.
On Friday, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said about 40 countries had been invited, including members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, “NATO”, and that responses were still coming in regarding a meeting scheduled for Tuesday at Ramstein Air. Power base.
He did not specify which countries had agreed to take part, but said more details would be provided in the coming days.
The meeting comes as Russia prepares for what is expected to be a major offensive in eastern Ukraine.
Kirby also said the agenda will include an updated assessment of the Ukraine battlefield, as well as a discussion of efforts to continue the uninterrupted flow of weapons and other military assistance.
He also said he would include consultations on Ukraine’s defense needs after the war, but did not expect him to consider changes in the US military posture in Europe.
