US, UK military chiefs meet to discuss Ukraine crisis, Indo-Pacific security

Europe, News, US December 10, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Army General Mark Milley met with the United Kingdom’s chief of defense staff, Royal Navy Admiral Sir Tony Radakin to discuss the Russia-Ukraine war and security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.

The officials agreed that the Russian president has continued to make calamitous mistakes during the war in Ukraine and applauded the resilience of the Ukrainian people. Royal Navy Admiral Sir Tony Radakin praised the United States for providing “extraordinary support” to Europe after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

UK’s chief of defense staff Admiral Radakin termed the Russian missile attacks on Ukraine as ineffective and said that “This is an existential conflict for Ukraine… is fueling an even stronger resolve in the Ukrainian people.”

Radakin said that “Russia has made this catastrophic mistake” by attacking Ukraine and has provoked “a phenomenal reaction” from nations around the world. Radakin said that by initiating a war on Ukraine Russia has become diplomatically isolated and economically crippled and warned that “the war on Ukraine should act as a deterrent for other nations thinking along those lines.”

While speaking at the Wall Street Journal’s Chief Executive Officer Council meeting in Washington, D.C., U.S. Army General Milley warned the adversaries of the United States that they should not underestimate the strength, power, and expertise of the American military.

Milley said that the U.S. has the “number one military in the world, and it’s the most capable that combined arms maneuver. We’re one of the few militaries remaining in the world that can bring it all together in time and space and in all the domains of space, cyber, land, sea and air and undersea. We are very skilled and talented at doing all that. And, no adversary should underestimate our capabilities.”

Separately on December 8, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, UK’s Defense Minister Ben Wallace, and Australian Minister of Defense Richard Marles met for the first AUKUS Defence Ministers’ Meeting. The military chiefs of the three nations were also present during the meeting, as they reaffirmed their commitment to the security of the Indo-Pacific region.

Today US @SecDef Austin, UK Defence Secretary @BWallaceMP and I met for the first AUKUS Defence Ministers’ Meeting.

Just over a year ago #AUKUS was put in place, and today there is an enormous sense of shared mission and momentum from all three countries 🇦🇺🇺🇸🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/JdaoWovBGX
— Richard Marles (@RichardMarlesMP) December 7, 2022

The U.S., UK, and Australian leaders reviewed “the significant progress to date on the trilateral effort to support Australia’s acquisition of conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines” and agreed to further accelerate the process and the development of advanced capabilities for warfighters.

Australian Defense Minister Marles stressed that “The importance of pursuing these advancements comes at a time where the strategic circumstances around the world are complex and serious, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.”

U.S. Defense Secretary Austin said that “More than ever, our three countries here have similar outlook on the key challenges and opportunities confronting our world. AUKUS will enhance our shared ability to sustain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”

^{U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III meets with British Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles at the Pentagon, on December 7, 2022. (Image Credit: Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexander Kubitza/U.S. DoD)}

The defense ministers emphasized that “AUKUS is a strategic partnership focused on enhancing regional stability and safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific where conflicts are resolved peacefully and without coercion.” The leaders also agreed that the trilateral alliance will make a positive contribution to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region by enhancing deterrence.