Mar 23 WATCH: Austin, Gen. Milley testify on U.S. military budget before House committee By Lolita C. Baldor, Tara Copp, Associated Press The U.S. military must be ready for possible confrontation with China, the Pentagon's leaders said Thursday, pushing Congress to approve the Defense Department's proposed $842 billion budget, which would modernize the force in Asia and around the world. Continue reading
Mar 15 WATCH: Defense Secretary Austin, Gen. Milley say U.S. has resumed contact with Russia to discuss drone By Lolita C. Baldor, Tara Copp, Associated Press Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he spoke to his Russian counterpart about the destruction of a U.S. drone over the Black Sea, which had brought the two countries closest to direct conflict since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine a year ago. Continue reading
Jan 20 WATCH: Defense Secretary Austin and Gen. Milley hold news conference over military aid for Ukraine By Lolita C. Baldor, Tara Copp, Associated Press Western defense leaders meeting at Ramstein Air Base in Germany have failed to resolve divisions over possibly providing battle tanks and other military aid to Ukraine. Continue reading
Nov 16 WATCH: Secretary Austin, General Milley echo Polish assessment of missile strike By Vasilisa Stepanenko, Associated Press At the Pentagon, Austin said the U.S. has confidence in Poland's early assessment, but wants to let the investigation "play out." He also said that Russia bears responsibility for the incident because of its invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Continue reading
Sep 08 WATCH: Secretary of Defense Austin and Gen. Milley say Ukraine military aid will continue By Associated Press U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin says that the Ukraine Defense Contact Group leaves its recent meetings "with lots of momentum" and plans to support Ukraine with the military aid that country needs "over the long haul."… Continue reading
Jul 24 In visit to Indo-Pacific, Gen. Milley warns China has become more dangerous By Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press His comments came as the U.S. redoubles efforts to strengthen its relationships with Pacific nations as a counterbalance to China,… Continue reading
May 23 WATCH: Defense Secretary Austin affirms U.S. support for Ukraine for as long as the invasion continues By Associated Press U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said they will do all they can to support Ukraine during its war with Russia, but what the end of the conflict "looks like… Continue reading
May 11 WATCH: Defense Secretary Austin, General Milley testify on defense budget in House committee hearing By News Desk and Associated Press Top U.S. defense officials defend the department’s budget before congress Wednesday, telling lawmakers the most urgent goal is sending the Ukrainians the capabilities they need along with an investment in capabilities that are “absolutely relevant to the competition with China.”… Continue reading
Jan 28 Austin says Putin now has enough troops on border to use forces against Ukraine By Yuras Karmanau, Vladimir Isachenkov, Associated Press U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says Russia has arrayed enough military forces along Ukraine's borders to provide Moscow with a complete range of options, including moves short of a full-scale invasion. Continue reading
Jan 28 WATCH: ‘Still time and space for diplomacy’ with Russia on Ukraine, says Defense Secretary Austin By News Desk and Vladimir Isachenkov, Lolita C. Baldor, Yuras Karmanau, Associated Press Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley will hold a news briefing on Friday amid continued tension between the United States, Russia and Ukraine. Continue reading