Mr Austin announced the aid package after a day of meetings with Ukrainian officials, including anti-tank weapons, air defence interceptors and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
A view of talks between a delegation led by US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian officials in Kiev on November 20, 2023. Photo: Reuters
The US defense secretary, accompanied by the top US general in Europe, met and held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is Mr. Austin's first visit to Kiev since April 2022.
“The message I bring to you today, Mr. President, is that the United States of America is with you,” Mr. Austin told President Zelenskyy after his overnight train ride from Poland to Ukraine. Mr. Zelenskyy said Mr. Austin’s visit was “a very important signal” for Ukraine.
The trip comes amid growing divisions over aid to Ukraine in the US Congress. The US has provided more than $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its military campaign in February 2022.
Russia now controls nearly a fifth of Ukraine’s territory. The West has sent in massive amounts of military equipment and Ukraine has launched a counter-offensive this year to retake the occupied territory, but has yet to make a major breakthrough.
Hoang Anh (according to Reuters)
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