United States vows to move “heaven and earth” to help Ukraine win battle against Russia’s unprovoked invasion,

The United States vowed Tuesday to move “heaven and earth” to help Ukraine win its battle against Russia’s unprovoked invasion, as allies from 40 nations met to bolster Kyiv’s defence against Moscow.

The Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin said the meeting called by the US at its Ramstein airbase in south-western Germany aims “to help Ukraine win the fight against Russia’s unjust invasion and to build up Ukraine’s defences for tomorrow’s challenges”.

The US is already the biggest supplier of international military aid to Ukraine and Austin said Washington is “going to keep moving heaven and earth so that they can meet” Kyiv’s needs.

Nearly 5.3 million Ukrainians have fled the country since Russia launched its invasion two months ago, the UN said Tuesday, warning that three million more were expected to follow this year.

At the talks, German Defence Minister, Christine Lambrecht, said Berlin has agreed to give the go-ahead to the delivery of used Gepard anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine.

Also present are countries further afield like Japan or Australia, which fear that a Russian victory in Ukraine could set a precedent and spur on the territorial ambitions of China. Finland and Sweden, traditionally neutral countries now looking at joining NATO following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, are likewise participating.

Ango Bally