Lloyd Austin arrives in Kyiv on unannounced visit
Posted on Oct 21, 2024 / Politics
Lloyd Austin has arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit, The Wall Street Journal and CNN report.
According to the WSJ, Austin arrived in Kyiv "with a message of strong commitment to support Ukraine", but without any new military aid or permission to use long-range missiles to strike targets in Russia.CNN clarifies that Austin will meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov during his visit to discuss Ukraine’s weapons needs and how the US can continue to support it next year.
Austin’s visit will also be a chance for him to revisit the “arc of relations” between the US and Ukraine over the past two and a half years, a senior defense official told CNN. The TV channel's interlocutor noted that as winter approaches, Ukrainians are in a "very difficult situation," and Austin's visit does not look like a "victory lap."
CNN notes that Austin's visit is taking place amid uncertainty about further support from the United States if Donald Trump wins the presidential election. However, according to the CNN interlocutor, the Pentagon plans for support to continue. Austin himself stated before the visit that he was confident that the United States and its allies would continue to increase efforts next year to support Ukraine, no matter who is president.
The last time Lloyd Austin was in Kyiv was on November 20, 2023, on the eve of the next meeting of the Contact Group on the Defense of Ukraine in the Ramstein format. WSJ notes that the current visit will likely be Austin's last as head of the Pentagon.
Please share the link with friends and neighbors:
Also! Recommended for you:
Fethullah Gülen dies in the United States at 83.Seven Israelis are suspected of aiding Iran
Hamas leader elections not to be held before March 2025
Moldova holds presidential elections and referendum on joining the EU
Donald Trump made fried potato chips in McDonalds
© 2025 City maps and famous places