Defense Secretary Austin: U.S. Would Enter Conflict If Russia Attacks Estonia

In the event that Russia launches an attack According to the Department of Defense’s head, the United States will invade Estonia if necessary.

Lloyd Austin III, Secretary of Defense Thursday, I spoke at a meeting of NATO defense minsters in Brussels (Belgium). The conference was heavily focused on the Russian invasion and occupation of Ukraine which is fast approaching its anniversary.

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Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary Of Defense, leaves NATO headquarters after the second day’s meeting of defense ministers, which took place in Brussels, Belgium, on February 15, 2023. (Omar Havana/Getty Images)

Austin was asked by a reporter if they were confident that they would have the backing of the United States. U.S. military In the event of an invasion by Russia, might.

“You know, I’ll just point to what our president, President Biden, has said a number of times and what I’ve also said. Our commitment to Article 5 is ironclad. And we take that very seriously and will live up to our commitments,” Austin spoke to the media.

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Two-way talks between Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense, and Estonia’s Prime minister Kaja Kallas (R), will take place in Tallinn, Estonia on February 16, 2023.  (RAIGO PAJULA/AFP via Getty Images).

Article 5 of NATO’s Washington Treaty is It is known As “the principle of collective defence.” It requires member countries to help another member, whose sovereignty or territorial integrity might have been compromised. Threat.

NATO defines it as “being”. “at the very heart of NATO’s founding treaty.”

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Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense, holds a closing press conference at NATO Headquarters on February 15, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. (Omar Havana/Getty Images)

According to the defense secretary, the US military has always maintained a strong presence. Within the Baltics Since the Russian invasion started in Ukraine.

“We also set up, you know, back at Madrid, our president made the decision to rotate forces in and out of the Baltics on a consistent basis in a heel-to-toe fashion so that we had the, you know, consistent presence. We’ve lived up to that. We’ll continue to live up to it,” Austin said.

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Lloyd Austin, Secretary of Defense, arrives in Tallinn (Estonia) on February 16, 2023 for talks with Estonia’s Prime Minster. (RAIGO PAJULA/AFP via Getty Images).

Austin referred to this level of military presence in the United States as a promise that was kept. He also stated that similar promises of military support would continue if necessary.

“And the final thing I would just point out to you is that prior to Russia’s invasion, you know, I met with your minister of defense and I told him that if Russia invaded Ukraine, we would deploy forces to Estonia the next day. And we did. We were the first to be here and we meant every word we said. And we’ll live up to our commitments going forward. So we are committed to to Article 5. And you can bet on it.”

Stephanie Pagones from Fox News contributed to this report.