WASHINGTON and LONDON — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv Monday morning for an unannounced visit to Ukraine, his 2d to the rustic since Russia invaded in February 2022.
He’s anticipated “to meet with Ukrainian leaders and reinforce the staunch support of the United States for Ukraine’s fight for freedom,” in accordance to a Defense Department remark.
“He will also underscore the continued U.S. commitment to providing Ukraine with the security assistance it needs to defend itself from Russian aggression, while also discussing a long-term vision for Ukraine’s future force,” the statement mentioned.
Austin used to be greeted on the platform via U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and the protection attaché, Brig. Gen. Kipling Kahler.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is welcomed as he arrives in Kyiv, Ukraine, Nov. 20, 2023.
United States Secretary Of Defense by way of Reuters
The secretary is anticipated to meet with Ukrainian leaders for high-level talks on subjects that come with how the U.S. and Ukraine can additional bolster their partnership, his place of work mentioned
Those discussions also are anticipated to come with “ensuring Ukraine’s armed forces have the battlefield capabilities they need for both the winter and to defend their country against future Russian threats,” the Defense Department mentioned.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed newshounds ultimate week that deliveries of artillery shells to his nation have “really slowed down.”
Austin departed from Maryland’s Joint Base Andrews on a C-32 airliner early Sunday morning and arrived in Poland Sunday evening native time. From there, he took an roughly 11-hour teach experience into Ukraine, the place he used to be greeted via Brink and Kahler as he stepped on the platform.
In all, the adventure used to be about 22 hours from Washington to Kyiv.
People stroll at nightfall close to the St. Andrew’s Church in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.
Felipe Dana/AP
Austin is touring with Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia Laura Cooper and Gen. Chris Cavoli Commander, U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) who joined them in Poland.
Austin prior to now visited Ukraine in April 2022, touring that point with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In Kyiv, the pair introduced tens of millions extra in U.S. safety help, greater U.S. coaching for Ukrainian troops and the go back of U.S. diplomats to Ukraine. Blinken additionally introduced throughout that visit that President Joe Biden would officially nominate Brink to function envoy in Kyiv.
This is a growing tale. Please take a look at again for updates.
ABC News’ Tom Soufi-Burridge and Conor Finnegan contributed to this record.
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