US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin comments on Battle for Ukrainian city of Bakhmut

Austin said this at a briefing after a regular meeting in the Ramstein format.

"I want to applaud the perseverance we have seen from the Ukrainian soldiers. We see that they have done something extraordinary in the area of Bakhmut. Russia has been trying to capture this city for seven months, and they have not had any particular success. And thanks to the efforts of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Regarding the importance of this city, I would say that President Zelenskyy is leading his own fight. He is specifically involved in decision-making on what is important and what is not important for defense," the US Secretary of Defense said.

According to Austin, if the Ukrainian Armed Forces need to regroup, it does not mean that they have lost the war.

"If Zelenskyy says that we need to regroup, it will not mean that the war is lost, that the war is defeated. It will mean that appropriate decisions are being made on how to save human lives, or to reformat their actions as part of an offensive or defense. It is up to them to decide where to stay and for how long to take defensive actions. We will support Zelenskyy and the General Staff in any decision they make. Now we hope to provide them with the opportunity to change the dynamics on the battlefield," said US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

• On March 15, AFU Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi and French Chief of the Joint Staff Thierry Burkhard had a telephone conversation.