Defense Minister in Kyiv
US reiterates long-term support for Ukraine
November 20, 2023, 6:17 p.m
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The war in Ukraine is entering its second winter. The USA is the biggest supporter in Russia’s defense. Support in the US Congress is crumbling. Now, on his second visit, Pentagon chief Austin is emphasizing his country’s willingness to help Kiev fight “for its existence” in the long term.
During a visit to Kiev, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin assured Ukraine of his country’s long-term support for Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia. Austin met with President Volodymyr Zelensky. “The United States and its allies and partners will continue to support Ukraine’s current battlefield needs and long-term defense requirements,” Austin wrote about his message on the social network X. The Pentagon said one goal of the visit was to clarify what the Ukrainian army needs especially in the beginning of winter. Zelenskyj called the Pentagon chief’s visit a “very important signal” for his country.
Before his meeting with Zelensky, Austin visited the US Embassy in Kiev and met with diplomats and staff. “They enable us to support a country that is fighting for its existence,” emphasized the Pentagon chief. It was his second visit to Ukraine since the Russian war of aggression began in February 2022. The trip was not announced for security reasons.
Ukraine has been repelling a Russian invasion since February 2022. No other country has helped Ukraine with such large arms deliveries as the USA. Since the start of the Russian attack, the US has provided Ukraine with more than $40 billion (around €37 billion) in aid and has repeatedly pledged to support Kiev for as long as it is needed. This makes Washington by far Kiev’s most important supporter.
Reservations in the US Congress against supporting Ukraine
However, the continuation of the aid is controversial in the US Congress; President Joe Biden’s administration must fight to release the funds. Most recently, Washington promised Ukraine ATACMS missiles, which have a longer range than US weapons previously delivered. With the approval of the USA, Ukrainian pilots are currently training on F-16 fighter jets that other countries want to hand over to Kiev.
“The United States will continue to stand with Ukraine in its fight for freedom from Russian aggression, both now and in the future,” Austin wrote on X upon arriving in Kiev by train. As with all foreign politicians, the Pentagon chief’s trip was over Not made public beforehand for security reasons. The commander in chief of US troops in Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, came to Kiev with Austin, as US Ambassador Bridget Brink announced.
Gaza war shifts the focus of world public opinion
According to video recordings, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and Defense Minister Rustem Umyerov also took part in the meeting with Zelensky from the Ukrainian side. According to the Pentagon, Austin had already spoken to Umjerow on the phone the day before. They prepared the upcoming consultations of the approximately 50 countries that provide military support to Ukraine. The so-called Ramstein format will meet as a video conference on November 22nd.
Because of the war in the Gaza Strip, developments in the country attacked by Russia since February 24, 2022 are increasingly moving to the fringes of world public opinion. Russia still occupies about a fifth of Ukraine. There is no end to the war in sight.