Kyiv, 20 November 2023 (TDI): US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday in a high-profile push to keep weapons and money flowing to Ukraine amidst the stretch of international resources by the new global risks raised by the Israel-Palestine conflict.
According to the US Department of Defense, Austin, who traveled to Kyiv by train fitsrom Poland, is scheduled to meet with senior Ukrainian officials and publicly press Ukraine’s urgent military needs as it enters another tough winter of fighting.
Moreover, during his visit, he will underscore the continued US commitment to providing Ukraine with the security assistance needed to defend itself from Russian aggression.
The meeting aims to also discuss a long-term vision for Ukraine’s future force, according to the Department of Defense.
Secretary Austin will hold formal discussions with Ukrainian officials. The discussion will center on how to strengthen the strategic alliance between the US and Ukraine.
Particularly, he will discuss how to give Ukraine’s armed forces the equipment they need to fight in the winter and protect their nation from Russian aggression in the future.
The 17th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is scheduled to take place virtually from the Pentagon later this week.
With Secretary Austin as a host, The meeting is expected to bring about 50 nations together to continue the important task of international coordination and support for Ukraine.
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This is Austin’s second trip to Kyiv, but he’s making it under far different circumstances. His first visit occurred in April 2022, just two months after full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Austin, at the time, started an international initiative that now meets once a month to coordinate what supplies, training, and other aid could be sent to Kyiv.
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