NATO member states will have to fight Russia if Ukraine loses a full-scale war with the enemy.
This was stated by Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin during a hearing of the US House Armed Services Committee.
He commented on this as follows:
"They know Putin and they know what he's capable of. I really believe that if Ukraine falls, NATO will be in a fight with Russia."
The US Defense Secretary also mentioned the Baltic states, emphasizing that they should have a reasonable concern that they could be the next targets for Russia's aggression.
"If you are a Baltic country, you are extremely worried about being next," the official said.
Therefore, Lloyd Austin emphasized his support for additional financial assistance for Ukraine and its importance to avoid a situation where "...one country can reshape the borders of its neighbors and illegally seize their sovereign territories."
"If Ukraine fails, Putin will not stop there. He will just continue to move forward and attack the sovereign territory of his neighbors. And other autocrats will look at this and be encouraged by the fact... that we failed to support a democratic state," the Pentagon Chief said.
Earlier, we told you what foreign troops can do in Ukraine.