Washington, United States: US Defense Secretary, Mr. Lloyd Austin, has made a surprise visit to Ukraine with an additional $100 million in security assistance for the war-torn nation.
Mr. Austin met with Mr. Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian President, Mr. Rustem Umerov, the Defense Minister, and Mr. Valerii Zaluzhny, the Commander-in-Chief General, during his first visit to Kyiv since April 2022. The Defense Secretary promised the US would remain a supporter of Ukraine in the long run.
“The message that I bring you today, Mr. President, is that the United States of America is with you. We will remain with you for the long haul,” Mr. Austin told Mr. Zelenskyy.
Mr. Austin stated that Ukraine’s effort to defeat Russian forces “matters to the rest of the world” and that US support would continue “for the long haul.”
The latest aid package includes anti-tank weapons, air-defense interceptors, and an additional High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). Mr. Zelenskyy told Mr. Austin that his visit was “a very important signal” for Ukraine.
Since Russia began its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the US has provided more than $44 billion, and allies an additional $35 billion – in security support. It ranges from millions of bullets to air defense systems, advanced European and US battle tanks, and, finally, pledges for F-16 fighter jets.
Fighting has stalled in the east of the country around ruined towns like Bakhmut and Adviidka, but there has been some recent success reported by Ukraine in the southern Kherson region, where it has taken control on the east bank of the Dnipro River, and in the Black Sea.
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