Ukraine’s defeat would raise risk of clash between Russia, NATO US defenсe chief says

If Ukraine falls, Russia and NATO could come into a direct military conflict, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told the House Armed Services Committee.

"That's why it's very important to provide additional funds to Kyiv. It will prevent a situation in the world where one country can redraw the borders of its neighbours and take over their sovereign territories," Austin said, per Caliber.Az.

"We know that if (Russian President Vladimir) Putin succeeds, he will not stop. He will continue to be more aggressive in the region. And the autocrats will look at that, and as a result, they will be encouraged by the fact that this has happened and that we have failed to support a democratic state," the minister said.

According to him, if Ukraine loses on the battlefield, the Baltic states in particular could be at risk.

"If you're a Baltic country, you're very worried about whether you'll be next. You know Putin. You know what he's capable of. And frankly, if Ukraine falls, I believe NATO will go to war with Russia," the Pentagon chief added.