US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin paid a surprise visit to Ukraine on Monday to underline Washington’s support amid concerns that Israel’s war against Hamas is distracting the West.
“I just arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian leaders,” the retired four-star general said on X/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,” he added.
The visit follows a trip to Kyiv last week by Britain’s new foreign secretary, Lord Cameron, for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Noting the Middle East conflict, Mr Zelensky said then: "The world is not so focused on the battlefield situation in Ukraine, and this dividing of the focus really does not help."
Apparent stalemate on the battlefield between Ukraine and Russian invaders heading into winter had already seen concern in the West about the direction of the war, which is now in its 21st month with no end in sight.
But Lord Cameron vowed to continue UK support for Ukraine “for however long it takes”.
The United States is the biggest supplier of military equipment to Ukraine, followed by Britain.
The Department of Defense said that in Kyiv, Mr Austin would “underscore the continued US 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”.
He will look at “ensuring Ukraine's armed forces have the battlefield capabilities they need for both the winter and to defend their country against future Russian threats”, it said.
Later this week, Mr Austin is due to host the 17th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group virtually from the Pentagon, with nearly 50 nations expected to take part.
