Austin visits Kiev and the United States announces a new $100 million aid plan to Ukraine | Russia-Ukraine war | U.S. Secretary of Defense | U.S. aid to Ukraine

[The Epoch Times, November 21, 2023](Epoch Times reporter Lin Yan reported) On Monday (November 20), the U.S. Secretary of Defense made a surprise visit to Kiev. At the same time, the White House issued a new 100-million-dollar target for Ukraine. US dollar aid package and announced more artillery and anti-aircraft ammunition.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a press conference in Kyiv on Monday that the new military aid package would help the Ukrainian military “have the equipment it needs to successfully operate in the winter” in the coming months. The new military assistance package includes the provision of 155mm artillery shells, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, small arms ammunition, as well as Javelin and AT-4 launchers.

He emphasized that there is no magic bullet for winning in this Russia-Ukraine war, and it will depend on having the right capabilities and better integration of those capabilities.

“The Ukrainian military is a learning organization and it will continue to learn from all operations,” Austin said. “I think it is important that the military’s operations are focused on the goals that the president (Zelensky) is focused on and wants to achieve.” superior.”

Since Ukraine launched a large-scale counteroffensive in June, the Ukrainian army has been in a stalemate with the Russian army and has only achieved weak victories.

Ukraine says it needs steady support from the West to continue fighting, and the Biden administration has vowed to continue supporting Kyiv as long as Ukraine needs it, but as winter approaches, aid funds approved for Ukraine by the United States and others are running out.

The Pentagon said it was adjusting the amount of military aid to Ukraine as it waited for Congress to pass another round of legislation that could include billions of dollars.

But the Republican-controlled House of Representatives opposes passing a package that includes Ukraine, hoping to separate the bill to aid Ukraine from Israel and others.

Austin has already met with new Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican). He said he sees continued bipartisan support in Congress.

He said he answered the concerns of members of Congress and reiterated the importance of passing military aid to Ukraine.

“What happens here is important not only for Ukraine, but for the entire world,” Austin said in Kyiv.

Austin traveled to Kiev on Monday for high-level talks with Ukrainian leaders to bolster support for the embattled country in its fight against Russia. He will also chair a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group later this week, where more than 50 countries will discuss support for Ukraine and take action.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a supportive statement on Monday, saying the new $100 million in military aid to Ukraine “will help meet Ukraine’s immediate needs on the battlefield as it retakes sovereign territory.”

“It is critical that Congress takes action to support Ukraine through the President’s request for supplemental funding,” he said.

Editor in charge: Li Yuan#