U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Announces $100 Million in New Military Aid to Ukraine
KYIV, Nov 20 (Reuters) – In an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced an aid package of $100 million in new military assistance to Ukraine. This pledge of long-term American support comes as concerns grow about the sustainability of vital U.S. assistance to the war-torn country.
The aid package includes arms such as anti-tank weapons and air-defense interceptors, as announced by Austin after his day of meetings with Ukrainian officials. This visit marked Austin’s first trip to Kyiv since April 2022, and he was accompanied by the top U.S. general in Europe.
During his visit, Austin met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, assuring him, “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.” This sentiment was echoed by the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, who emphasized Washington’s “unwavering support to Ukraine in its fight for freedom.”
Zelenskiy expressed the importance of the support, stating, “We count on your support,” during his meeting with Austin. This comes amid growing concerns over the sustainability of the war against Russia, with some top Ukrainian officials privately voicing apprehension that deliveries of military aid may become less frequent.
The United States has provided more than $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. However, the trip comes at a time of increasing division over aid for Ukraine in the U.S. Congress, especially with a presidential election looming in November 2024.
President Joe Biden had asked Congress to approve more money for Ukraine last month, but there are concerns after its omission from a stop-gap spending bill passed by lawmakers. Some American lawmakers are prioritizing aid to Israel, sparking a debate over where U.S. taxpayer money should be allocated.
The visit concluded with Austin expressing a shift in mindset regarding the conflict, noting, “When you think back at the beginning of this, nobody thought that Ukraine could survive for more than a week. So here we are much later. now everybody’s wondering why Ukraine hadn’t overpowered Russia.” Despite Russia controlling nearly a fifth of Ukraine, the West continues to support the country, with the hope that the aid will enable Ukraine to push back against the ongoing conflict.