US announces new military package for Ukraine as Defense Secretary Austin visits Kyiv

Europe, News, US November 21, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Department of Defense announced a new security assistance package for Ukraine to meet its critical security and defense needs as Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin traveled to Kyiv on November 20, 2023.

U.S. Defense Secretary Austin arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov. During his visit, Austin reinforced the staunch support of the United States for Ukraine’s fight for freedom.

According to the Pentagon statement, Secretary Austin underscored the “continued U.S. 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.”

I was honored to meet with President @ZelenskyyUa in Kyiv today to reaffirm the United States’ steadfast support for Ukraine. We, along with our allies and partners, will continue to support Ukraine’s urgent battlefield needs and long-term defense requirements. pic.twitter.com/Odv6ClgcrP
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) November 20, 2023

Secretary Austin engaged in high-level talks with Ukrainian leadership and discussed further bolstering the strategic partnership between the United States and Ukraine, including ensuring that the Ukrainian armed forces have the “battlefield capabilities they need for both the winter and to defend their country against future Russian threats,” the statement added.

Austin said during a press briefing that Ukraine is well prepared for the winter battle, highlighting that based on President Zelenskyy’s remarks the coming winter is going to be “even more aggressive” for Ukraine. Austin underscored the importance of providing winter gear to Ukraine and said, “I agree with President Zelenskyy – the right thing to do is continue to press the fight, take the fight to the enemy.”

U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin with Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov — *^{U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in a delegation-level meeting with Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov in Kyiv on November 20, 2023. (Image Credit: Twitter/@SecDef)}*

Earlier on November 17, U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin urged Congress to approve supplemental funding to strengthen U.S. national security as soon as possible. Austin said, “Our supplemental request directly supports our allies and partners, including Israel and Ukraine, during a critical period and makes key investments in our defense industrial base across the country.”

U.S. defense secretary will also host the 17th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group virtually from the Pentagon, to continue work toward international coordination and support for Ukraine with nearly 50 nations expected to participate in the meeting.

Additional Security Assistance Package for Ukraine

According to the Pentagon statement, the new military package includes additional air defense capabilities, artillery ammunition, anti-tank weapons, and other equipment to help Ukraine defend against Russian invasion.

The latest package is valued at $100 million and includes: