In a submit on X Twitter on Thursday, Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-TX) questioned why Secretary of Protection Lloyd Austin had a Ukraine flag alongside the USA flag in his workplace, as seen on video of a teleconference from Wednesday, “Why does Sec. Def have a Ukrainian flag in his office? What are they, the 51st State?”
Why does Sec. Def have a Ukrainian flag in his workplace?
What are they, the 51st State? pic.twitter.com/bGnzZcBr9D
— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) February 16, 2024
Former trump Nationwide Safety Advisor Gen. Mike Flynn (USA, Ret.) concurred, “.@DeptofDefense spokesperson, this is a great question. WTH!?”
.@DeptofDefense spokesperson, it is a nice query. WTH!? https://t.co/wBo1OFHraG
— Common Mike Flynn (@GenFlynn) February 16, 2024
Austin was talking from his house workplace in Northern Virginia to a gathering in Brussels of the Ukraine Protection Contract Group. Austin was scheduled to attend the assembly in individual however a latest re-hospitalization for problems from therapy for prostate most cancers forced him to change plans. Austin returned to the Pentagon on Thursday.
The Senate not too long ago handed a invoice to offer Ukraine $60 billion as a part of a $95.3 billion bill that features funding for Israel and Taiwan. Speaker of the Home Mike Johnson (R-LA) is blocking the bill from being voted on within the Home.
Video of Austin’s remarks:
YouTube transcript flippantly edited for formatting:
“…Good afternoon everybody. It’s nice to see you all once more and I’m sorry I wouldn’t be I wasn’t capable of journey to Brussels this week. I look ahead to bringing this contact group collectively in individual quickly. I planed to be in individual with you at the moment in Brussels however I needed to return to the hospital for nonsurgical procedures. I’m in good situation and my most cancers prognosis stays glorious, and I’m actually grateful for all of the properly needs.
Thanks for working throughout time zones to hitch us for the nineteenth uh assembly of this contact group. As all the time I’m glad that we’re joined by a distinguished delegation from Ukraine led by Minister umov ROM. It’s nice to have you ever with us once more and a transfer that so many allies and companions from across the globe are with us at the moment. That’s a testomony to this coalition’s resolve and unity and we gained’t again down.
Women and gents, later this month we are going to mark two full years because the begin of Russia’s fullscale invasion of its peaceable and democratic neighbor Ukraine. When Putin launched his unjust and unprovoked conflict of selection, he was betting that Ukraine would fold. However he couldn’t have been extra incorrect. Ukraine fought Putin’s Invasion with unbelievable braveness and phenomenal talent, and nations of goodwill around the globe rallied to Ukraine’s trigger. The international locations of this contact group virtually two years later are nonetheless united in widespread function. The Kremlin retains on betting that we’ll all lose curiosity in Ukraine and that our assist will flicker and fade, however I’m extra decided than ever and I do know that you’re as properly. This contact group stays resolute, undaunted and agency. And make no mistake, the USA continues to face 4 sq. with Ukraine and America will proceed to assist Ukraine’s principal battle in opposition to Putin’s imperial aggression.
The Kremlin is sinking deeper into its self-inflicted isolation, however this coalition of some 50 international locations worldwide is right here to roll up our sleeves and get to work. And our allies and companions proceed to shoulder the burden of our shared safety. Nearly two years in we proceed to ship safety help to the battlefield and we are actually constructing coalitions for Ukraine’s long-term safety. We stay targeted on accountability for the help that we’re offering to Ukraine. We’ll work collectively at the moment on Ukraine’s near-term necessities together with its pressing want for extra artillery ammunition and air protection missiles and what we’re calling the aptitude coalitions are standing up and transferring out they’re serving to to construct the foundations for a Ukrainian future power that may deter and defend in opposition to continued Russian aggression. And we are going to proceed to adapt our assist to Ukraine’s short-term and long-term safety necessities.
So let me thank everybody who’s main the aptitude coalitions. You might be tackling a really essential job which means build up Ukraine’s future artillery power and supplying it with sufficient ammunition. It means equipping Ukraine with F16s and the infrastructure to maintain them flying. And it means making certain that Ukraine has an built-in and layered air protection community to guard its civilians, cities and skies. We’ll maintain utilizing the nimble framework of the aptitude coalition to adapt to Ukraine’s evolving safety necessities. Every of those coalitions underscores our unity and resolve to assist Ukraine and to confront Russian aggression. We’ll proceed to work collectively to get Ukraine what it wants to carry on to its positive aspects and to maintain pushing again Russia’s unlawful occupation within the months forward.
The Kremlin’s cruelty is very clear throughout one other winter of conflict. Putin’s forces openly bombard Ukraine’s cities with ballistic missiles and Iranian drones however Ukraine continues to defy the Kremlin and battle for its sovereign rights. And we are going to proceed to dig deep to supply Ukraine with each short-term and long-term assist. The international locations of this coalition, together with the USA, assist Ukraine as a result of it’s the appropriate factor to do and since it’s in our core nationwide safety curiosity. Putin’s indefensible conflict of aggression poses an enormous problem to safety and stability in Europe and past. And the Kremlin’s invasion is a frontal assault on the laborious one submit Warfare II Worldwide order that condemns aggression, defends state sovereignty and upholds human human rights.
So the end result of Ukraine’s battle in opposition to Putin’s Imperial aggression will assist outline international safety for many years. And for individuals of precept and governments of conscience, standing apart whereas Ukraine fights for its very existence just isn’t an choice. Ukraine is not going to give up and neither will we. And with that we’ll pause for a second as our mates within the media depart after which begin our agenda, thanks.”
