Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III, addressing defense ministers in Brussels via video, affirmed the United States’ unwavering support for Ukraine. However, he did not mention the pending multibillion-dollar aid package awaiting Congressional approval.
Mr. Austin conveyed his message during a five-minute video link to a gathering of around 50 countries from the U.S.-led Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which coordinates military assistance for Ukraine.
“We will continue to provide Ukraine with both immediate and long-term support,” stated Mr. Austin, who had to cancel his trip to Brussels due to health concerns. Seated behind a desk adorned with the flags of the United States and Ukraine, he emphasized, “The coalition, including the United States, supports Ukraine because it is the right thing to do and aligns with our core national security interests.”
Nearly two years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine faces a challenging year, with Moscow attempting battlefield advances and without immediate aid from Washington, its largest donor.
A $95 billion emergency aid package has been stalled in Congress since its introduction in October. The Senate passed the package on Tuesday, which included aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan with bipartisan support, but it faces significant Republican opposition in the House.
The legislation would allocate $60.1 billion for the government in Kyiv, bringing the total U.S. investment in the war effort to over $170 billion. It would also provide funding for Israel and Taiwan, as well as humanitarian aid for civilians in conflict zones.
Mr. Austin had announced on Monday that he was canceling his trip to Brussels, where he had been scheduled to meet with NATO and European counterparts in person.
Mr. Austin, 70, was admitted to a hospital on Sunday for discomfort and concern related to a bladder issue following prostate cancer surgery in December. He stated that he had returned to the hospital for nonsurgical procedures, marking the third such visit in two months. “I am in good condition, and my cancer prognosis remains excellent,” he assured. He was discharged on Tuesday.
On Dec. 22, Mr. Austin underwent a prostatectomy, the removal of all or part of the prostate gland. At the time, he faced criticism for not immediately disclosing his illness and absence to the White House, a breach of protocol that puzzled officials across the government, including at the Pentagon. He was hospitalized for two weeks in January and returned to the Pentagon on Jan. 29.
2024-02-14 14:40:17
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