US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has arrived in Ukraine for “high-level talks” to discuss aid for the military conflict.
Austin posted a picture of himself at the Kyiv train station on X, formerly Twitter. According to the US Department of Defence, his visit will include “high-level talks with Ukrainian leadership.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters last week that the supply of artillery shells to his country had “really slowed down.”
The United States has been a key ally of Ukraine, providing $60 billion in aid to the country since the outbreak of the war. As of early November, the US had spent 96 per cent of this amount.
Due to disagreements between Republicans and Democrats, the US Congress has yet to approve a new annual budget; however, both Democrats and Republicans have publicly assured Ukraine that US support will continue.
Austin is travelling with Assistant Secretary of Defence for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Russia, Ukraine, Eurasia Laura Cooper and Gen. Chris Cavoli Commander, US European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) who joined them in Poland.
Lloyd Austin previously visited Ukraine in April 2022 with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
