US military leaders emphasize the challenges of Ukraine's ongoing conflict.

US General Mark Milley says Ukraine making ‘steady progress’ in counteroffensive that will take time and come at a ‘high cost’. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told the meeting that Kyiv needed both short-term and long-term support as the war was a “marathon, not a sprint”, and Ukraine needed even more weapons. Ukraine has captured at least seven settlements and taken back 100 square kilometres (38 square miles) of territory in two major pushes in the south so far. The big test of Ukraine’s offensive still lies ahead as Ukrainian troops have yet to reach the heaviest Russian defensive fortifications, which are set back from the front line.