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Outcome of conflict in Ukraine to help determine security in this century – Austin

The head of the US Department of Defense noted that NATO is a defensive alliance and “does not seek confrontation with Russia

OTTAWA, November 20. /TASS/. The outcome of the conflict in Ukraine will help to determine global security in the 21st century, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said at the Halifax International Security Forum on Saturday.

The outcome of the conflict in Ukraine "will help determine the course of global security in this young century," he said in a speech that was broadcast on the conference’s website.

Austin said NATO is a defensive alliance and "does not seek confrontation with Russia. It poses no threat to Russia."

"We will not be dragged" into the conflict, he said.

"But we will stand by Ukraine," Austin continued. "And we will defend every inch of NATO territory. And we will continue to strengthen NATO’s collective defense and deterrence.".

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