US Defense Secretary Austin Affirms Strong Support for Ukraine with Surprise Visit to Kyiv
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Kyiv to rally support for Ukraine and expressed optimism about Ukrainian forces being "even more aggressive" against Russian invaders. However, concerns remain about the future of US military aid, with some Republicans wanting to halt support. The Biden administration is working with Congress to secure additional funding, but weapons supplies are under pressure due to the conflict in the Middle East. Ukrainian officials claim that US deliveries of artillery shells have fallen by over 30% since Israel's war against Hamas, with some supplies diverted to Israel. These shells are crucial for Ukraine's fight against Russia, making up 60-70% of their overall supply. Despite receiving Western weaponry, Ukraine faces battlefield disadvantages against Russia. The Ukrainian official expressed concern about the lack of basic munitions and the risk of losing ground on the battlefield.