Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin makes unannounced visit to Ukraine

In an unannounced trip, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Kyiv on Monday, Nov. 20, to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and two other ranking officials. It marks the second time Austin has visited Ukraine since the Russian invasion nearly two years ago.

According to a Department of Defense press release, Austin’s meeting with Zelenskyy was to reinforce U.S. support for Ukraine, adding that more support is coming in the way of a $100 million security package that includes weapons from U.S. stockpiles.

It is one of the smaller installments of support as a Pentagon spokesperson recently said there is a need to “parse these out” as the timeline for Congress to pass another aid package for Ukraine is unclear. Still, the package marks the Biden administration’s 51st equipment installment being sent to Ukraine.

The package includes:

• Stinger anti-aircraft missiles
• One High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and additional ammunition
• 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds
• Tube-launched, Optically-Tracked, Wire-Guided (TOW) missiles
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems
• More than 3 million rounds of small arms ammunition
• Demolitions munitions for obstacle clearing
• Cold weather gear
• Spare parts, maintenance, and other ancillary equipment

The meeting comes as outlets report congressional aspirations to pass a supplemental package for Ukraine and Israel before Christmas; but as the end of the year deadline creeps ever closer, Republicans and Democrats are still negotiating what exactly will be in the package.

Republicans want border security included in any aid package, and recently the Republican-led House passed an aid bill for Israel which included cuts to IRS funding, a non-starter for Senate Democrats and the White House.

NBC News reported that Senate leaders on both sides of the aisle agree that in order for any legislation in regards to support for Ukraine and Israel to pass, it would need to originate in the Senate.

The Associated Press reported that Zelenskyy called the meeting a “very important signal” for Ukraine in its fight for freedom. Senior defense officials say Austin’s meeting with Zelenskyy sent the message that the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine, even as the country focuses on additional challenges like the conflict in the Middle East.