Gen. Christopher Cavoli, commander of U.S. European Command, said Russia poses a “chronic threat” to the world and further support for Ukraine is critical to repelling a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Cavoli, who also serves as NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, testified before the House Armed Services Committee today.
“We are facing difficult times on the European stage, to say the least,” Cavoli told delegates. “Russia's brutal and senseless war has devastated Ukraine for more than two years. [Russian] The military is destroying cities and destroying innocent lives on a scale not seen since World War II. ”
Also of concern is Russia's dependence on China, Iran and North Korea to maintain operations in Ukraine, he said. “These countries are forming an interlocking strategic partnership in an attempt to challenge the existing order,” the general said. “This is extremely contrary to the national interests of the United States.”
More than two years after the invasion, Russian President Vladimir Putin shows no signs of stopping, Kavoli said. “Russia has no intention of ceasing relations with Ukraine,” he said. “Russia poses a chronic threat.”
European military forces are responding to threats to NATO by increasing their deterrence posture across Europe. “We have strengthened our eastern flank with the deployment of rotating forces, expanded our pre-positioned stockpiles, and modernized our infrastructure to enable the rapid reception of reinforcements,” the general said.
U.S. and allied forces are conducting large-scale training exercises to demonstrate new augmentation capabilities in all areas. “We are prepared to defend ourselves, which provides deterrence and deterred an allied attack by Russia,” he said.
Cavoly also said that European Command is supporting international efforts to support Ukraine, and that the military has established a security support group. “Over the past 26 months of this war, the United States and our partners have delivered significant amounts of critical munitions and equipment to our Ukrainian colleagues,” he said. ” [security assistance group] Facilitated a full range of training to promote unit readiness. We made sure that Ukraine knows how to use and maintain new equipment. ”
But Putin is persistent, he said, and the fact is that Ukraine “remains almost entirely dependent on external support to continue this fight.” “The seriousness of this moment cannot be overstated. If we do not continue to support Ukraine, Ukraine may be defeated.”
The last piece of U.S. aid expired earlier this year, but Congress has introduced legislation to continue funding. Kavoly said the United States is currently the main supplier of land-based air defense shells and artillery shells to Ukraine, although allies are filling some of the gaps.
“I can't predict the future, but I can do some simple calculations,” the general said. “If you look at the supply rate…if you look at the consumption rate, if we don't continue to support Ukraine, Ukraine will run out of artillery shells, and it will run out of air defense interceptors pretty quickly.
“Based on over 37 years of experience in the U.S. military, if one side can fire and the other can't fire back, the side that can't fire back loses,” he continued. “So the stakes are very high.”
American leadership is also at stake. “Continued U.S. leadership is essential,” he said. “Our allies are strengthening. But they want and want our continued leadership and example. To uphold our commitment to Ukraine and demonstrate solid solidarity with the NATO alliance. “And we will provide a clear deterrent to our adversaries. Even if we fail, U.S.-Eukom stands ready to fight and win alongside our allies.”