The Pentagon said that Lloyd Austin “traveled to Ukraine today to meet with Ukrainian leaders and underscore the United States’ steadfast support for Ukraine’s struggle for freedom.” The visit was not announced in advance for security reasons.
“I have just arrived in Kiev to meet with the leaders of Ukraine,” the minister wrote on X. He added that it carries an “important message” that “the United States will continue to support Ukraine.” Austin also posted a photo of US Ambassador to Kiev Bridget Brink welcoming him at a train station in the Ukrainian capital.
During the day, Austin announced a new military aid package worth $100 million (34 billion HUF), and promised long-term support for the leadership in Kiev.
He also said, with the current shipment, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons are arriving in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, while receiving the American minister, that his visit was “a very important signal to Ukraine.” He added: “We are counting on their support.”
The day before, Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder announced that the next meeting of the group formed to coordinate Western arms shipments to Ukraine would be held this week in the form of a video conference.
Earlier, John Kirby, coordinator of strategic communications at the White House National Security Council, said that the US government has already spent about 96 percent of the funds allocated to help Kiev. He stressed that failure to provide more large-scale assistance from the United States would have a detrimental impact on Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Cover image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images
