The American Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, assured the Ukrainian president of Washington’s continued support in the face of the Russian invasion, during a visit to kyiv intended to reassure on the subject. Washington is by far the main supplier of military aid to Kiev, and a reduction in its support, ardently demanded by some Republican elected officials, would deal a severe blow to Ukrainian efforts to liberate the occupied areas in the south and east of the country.
“The message I bring to you today, Mr. President, is that the United States is with you and will remain with you for a long time,” Lloyd Austin said during his meeting with the Ukrainian head of state.
Volodymyr Zelensky called the Pentagon chief’s visit “a very important signal.” “We are counting on your support,” he said. Ukraine is striving to guarantee the continuation of European and American assistance, while voices are being raised in Europe and the United States to reduce this support, after almost two years of war. In addition, with the international community focused on the war between Israel and Hamas, kyiv wants to prevent the support received so far from diminishing.