By South China Morning Post | Created at 2024-10-21 15:23:28 | Updated at 2024-10-21 20:59:58
5 hours ago
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin announced US$400 million in new arms for Ukraine on Monday during a visit to Kyiv, in a show of solidarity just two weeks ahead of a US presidential election that is casting uncertainty over the future of Western support.
Austin’s trip, his fourth and likely final visit as President Joe Biden’s Pentagon chief, focused on US efforts to help Kyiv shore up its defences as Russian forces slowly but steadily gain ground in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a statement on X, appeared to renew calls for Washington to ease restrictions on using US-supplied weapons to hit targets deep in Russian territory.
As Biden’s administration winds down, Austin, however, signalled continuity in US support, and announced no changes to US policy.
“The United States understands the stakes here, Mr President,” Austin told Zelensky during a meeting, as he announced additional munitions, armoured vehicles and anti-tank weapons for Ukraine.
As Austin stepped off the train in Kyiv after an overnight journey from Poland, Ukrainian officials reported new Russian attacks overnight on the Ukrainian capital that damaged residential buildings and injured at least one civilian.
