U.S. defense secretary Lloyd Austin makes an announced visit to Kyiv
Source: CNN
On Monday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv for an announced visit, as the future supplies of U.S. aid to Ukraine hang in the balance ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in the United States. The visit comes at a critical time, with Russia making steady gains on the frontlines.
During his visit, Austin is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to discuss Ukraine’s ongoing military needs, particularly in terms of weaponry and continued U.S. support for the Ukrainian army in the coming year.
A senior U.S. defense official revealed that Austin’s visit will also provide a chance for the Secretary to “step back” and review the trajectory of U.S.-Ukraine relations over the course of the war, which has now lasted for over two and a half years.
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