US Secretary of Defense visited Kyiv and announced additional military aid

(Patria) - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced $100 million in new military aid to Ukraine during an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday, promising long-term US support amid growing concerns about the sustainability of vital US aid, Reuters reported.

Austin announced the aid package after day-long meetings with Ukrainian officials, with the latest tranche including anti-tank weapons, air defense interceptors, and additional HIMARS systems.

Austin, accompanied by the top US general in Europe, was photographed smiling and shaking hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. It was Austin's first visit to Kyiv since April 2022.

"The message that I bring you today, Mr. President, is that the United States is with you. We will stay with you for the long haul," Austin told Zelenskyy.

Zelenskyy told Austin that his visit was "a very important signal" for Ukraine.

"We are counting on your support," Zelenskyy said.

The United States has provided more than $44 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.

"I think they are ready for winter fighting," Austin told reporters after the meetings. "They did a great job last year. This year we expect them to be even more aggressive, just based on what... President Zelenskyy said," he added.

The trip comes amid growing divisions over aid to Ukraine in the US Congress, with US presidential elections scheduled for November 2024. Some US lawmakers are prioritizing aid to Israel, although US defense officials emphasize that Washington can support both allies simultaneously.