Pentagon chief arrives in Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian leaders
Photo: twitter.com/SecDef
US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, has arrived in Ukraine for a visit.
He is in Kyiv on Monday, November 20, to meet with Ukrainian leaders, Rubryka reports, referring to Austin's post on X (former Twitter).
"I'm here today to deliver an important message — the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russia's aggression, both now and into the future," the Pentagon chief wrote.
The defense secretary also posted a photo from the Kyiv railway station on social media. He was greeted in Kyiv by the US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink.
I just arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian leaders.
I'm here today to deliver an important message – the United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in their fight for freedom against Russia's aggression, both now and into the future. pic.twitter.com/1D96aeeACl
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) November 20, 2023
On Sunday, Austin spoke with the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Rustem Umierov. They discussed plans for the upcoming meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (the "Ramstein" format), which will take place via video conference on November 22.
It is important to mention that Washington has been unable to agree on a new military assistance program for Ukraine for two months. This week, the US Congress approved a new temporary budget for the country to avoid a shutdown, which, once again, does not allocate funds for Ukraine.
