The United States secretary of state, Lloyd Austin, has warned that NATO could be dragged into a conflict with Russia if Ukraine fails against Moscow amid the invasion that began in February 2022 under the order of Russian president Vladimir Putin.
“We know that if Putin succeeds here, he will not stop. He will intensify more aggressive actions in the region,” Austin told the House Armed Services Committee. “If Ukraine falls, NATO will be in a fight with Russia.”
“If Ukraine falls, Putin will not stop there. He will press forward, attacking neighboring states and challenging their sovereignty. For a Baltic country, there is real concern about being the next target. They know what Putin is capable of,” Austin said, stressing the importance of sustaining military support to Kyiv to counter the Russian onslaught.
He noted that every day the risks on the battlefield are visible as Ukrainian forces fight bravely to defend their land, while Moscow makes progress in eastern Ukraine. He warned that not aiding Ukraine is a dangerous path to follow.
The Ukrainian military is beginning to feel the strain of dwindling ammunition supplies due to delays in approving additional U.S. aid, even as support from other partners remains ongoing. The United States has contributed the most by far, but its funds are presently held up by a budget dispute in Congress between Democrats and Republicans.
“If this path continues, it would be a gift to Putin,” Austin stated, while underscoring that other nations might reassess whether the United States remains a reliable partner. He said allies worry about the messages being sent and the impact on Ukrainian morale as aid slows or stalls, a point echoed by several allied capitals.
He also emphasized that the Ukraine war concerns national security and a rules-based international order. “We do not want a world where a country can redraw borders and illegitimately seize a neighbor’s sovereign territory,” he declared to conclude his remarks.
Responses to Austin’s comments were swift. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia’s foreign ministry, branded them as madness. “Is this a direct threat to Russia or an attempt to justify actions by Ukraine’s leadership? Either way, it is madness, but now the world can see who the aggressor is: Washington,” she wrote on Telegram in response.