From: New Voice of Ukraine 🇺🇦
If Russia is victorious in Ukraine, Europe itself will face collapse, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a speech at the Diplomatic Academy in Kyiv on Oct. 21.
“If Ukraine falls under [Russian dictator Vladimir] Putin’s boot, all of Europe will collapse from Putin’s push,” NV correspondent quotes Austin.
“Putin is not just breaking the norms of the international system, which was built at such a great cost by the allies after WWII. He is pushing us all towards a world war, where might makes right, where empires triumph over [national] sovereignty.”
According to the secretary, Putin wants to prove that his autocracy can outlast global democracy.
“Putin doesn’t just believe his will is stronger,” Austin continues.
“He thinks his system is better. But he has never been more wrong. Few forces are as powerful as democracy fighting for its freedom.”
He then spoke about the extraordinary price the Ukrainian people are paying to achieve a just peace for themselves.
“Yes, there is a cost to pay for human freedom,” Austin added.
“But it is meager compared to the price we all will pay if we allow aggression to continue unchecked.”
Voice of Ukraine 