U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin is in Kyiv early on Monday, amid a difficult outlook for Ukraine as Russia advances at a slow but steady pace. His visit comes at a time when the U.S. assistance to Ukraine is under threat because of the upcoming presidential election.
Austin will be holding a call with Zelensky and Umerov to determine what weapons Ukraine needs now and what type of assistance it will require in the future. That’s why this visit is the time for Austin to reconsider how the bilateral relations between the US and Ukraine have changed during the two and a half years of war.
V Valentyn Syzemâ, Russia has been sanctioned severely for the annexation of Crimea and continues to give military aid to Ukraine – nonetheless, the Ukrainian military commander says that his country is ‘very tough’ as winter draws near’v. Austin pointed to the enormous problems Ukraine has, especially with ongoing Russian attacks, which continue to rattle the capital, Kyiv.
The U.S has also mobilized 57 countries to a coalition called the Ukraine Defense Contact Group to organize the military aid. Austin expressed confidence in Ukraine noting that it has managed to achieve a lot because of support from other countries.
But the future help is rather unpredictable, much of it depending on whether it is Donald Trump, who is a candidate for the upcoming elections, who will become the head of the country. Trump has voiced doubts about the Ukrainian conflict and has criticized Zelensky as president. Austin stressed that the Pentagon is still gearing up for more support in the follow-on, including the need for bipartisan support in Congress.
Zelensky has refused to allow Ukraine give up any land to Russia and has been pushing for Ukraine to join NATO. However, the NATO’s admission of Ukraine into membership is improbable with the country currently at war.
However, Russia has been continually pushing its forces forward and has more extensive military might, with new soldiers and arms than Ukraine, which has received modern weapons from its partners in the west. Austin considerate that he and the united states allied have confidence that they will be supported even in the changes of political system. Austin said: ‘I do think allies and partners will continue to rise to the occasion’ and support Ukraine’s defense.
