U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he believes that Ukraine is going to need long-range artillery, tanks, as well as armored vehicles to fight against Russia.

Austin said in an interview with Fox News National Security Correspondent Jennifer Griffin that he had a meeting with dozens of defense ministers, ensuring that they can continue to provide Ukraine "what it needs to be successful in the fight today," according to a Fox News report.

The defense secretary added that Ukraine's needs change a lot at the beginning as the war evolved. When asked if the fight would involve nuclear weapons, Austin answered that he believes it would not go there. However, he added that he did not want to speculate "on any kind of a response" that Russia would make when it comes to using a nuclear weapon.

Austin said that his job is to offer the president a range of options for anything that would ensue, adding that he feels confident that he can do that no matter what happens.

Austin denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine as "indefensible," adding that Ukraine's resistance has brought "inspiration to the free world," according to a Reuters report.

The defense secretary noted that Ukraine believes that it can win, "and so does everyone here," according to a Reuters report.

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U.S. on Ukraine War

Austin noted that he hopes "Russian losses in Ukraine" will hinder its leadership from doing its actions again elsewhere. He added that Ukraine can still win the war "if given the right support," according to a BBC News report.

Austin announced that the United States would allocate an additional $713 million of military aid to Ukraine and other European nations.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has accused the West of trying to divide Russian society and "destroy Russia from within." Putin's accusations were made during a speech on Monday, seemingly in response to Austin's comments.

U.S. security assistance provided to Ukraine since the invasion started has amounted to more than $3.7 billion.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pleaded with Western leaders to increase the flow of military equipment for weeks. He noted that his forces can overcome Russia's military if provided with fighter jets and other vehicles.

The U.S. confirmed last week that it had supplied Ukrainian troops with howitzer artillery cannons and anti-artillery radars for the first time.

Russia-Ukraine Crisis

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that the conflict in Ukraine risked escalating into a third world war, adding that NATO was "in essence" engaged in a proxy war with Moscow by supplying Kyiv with weapons.

Lavrov added in an interview broadcast that the risk of a nuclear conflict "must not be underestimated," according to an Aljazeera News report. Lavrov's interview was aired hours after Austin and State Secretary Antony Blinken visited Kyiv and promised more military assistance to Ukraine.

Austin noted that the U.S. wanted to see Russia "weakened" and pledged to supply arms to Ukraine to help it win against its country's invasion.

More than 40 countries for Ukraine-related talks will take place this week. It will be hosted by the United States, with the discussions focusing on more weapon deliveries.

READ MORE: Russia-Ukraine Crisis: Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelensky Says if Pres. Joe Biden Acted Sooner 'There Would Be No War'

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Written by: Mary Webber

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