US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said today that Russian President Vladimir Putin "never imagined that the whole world would unite so quickly and safely behind Ukraine."
He made the remarks in Germany during a meeting with officials from more than 40 countries to further coordinate security assistance to Ukraine.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin considers Germany's decision to supply 50 anti-aircraft tanks to Ukraine a "significant move" because, according to him, these systems will provide real defense capabilities for Ukraine.
As for the explosions in the separatist region of Transnistria in Moldova, Austin said the US is still examining their cause, but stressed that Washington does not want an escalation of the conflict.
The day before, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that there was a serious and real danger of a Third World War, although he said that this risk should not be artificially increased.
Austin said the US and the international community will do everything in their power to ensure the situation does not spiral out of control.
But he criticized the nuclear weapons rhetoric and said it was dangerous and did not help the situation.
"No one will see a nuclear war, no one can win it. "There is always a possibility that things could happen, but it is wrong to speculate on the use of nuclear weapons."
Austin made the remarks during a news conference following a meeting between the United States and its allies at an air base in Germany. He said the group would meet once a month to discuss Ukraine's needs for protection from Russian troops.