Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zeleynskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 21, 2024. (Chad McNeeley/Department of Defense)
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday announced another $400 million in munitions, armored vehicles and anti-tank weapons for Ukrainian troops fighting to defeat invading Russian forces.
The announcement came during his meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“During the meeting we discussed critical defense priorities, including Ukraine’s air-defense capabilities, preparations for the winter period, and the expansion of long-range weapon use against Russian military targets,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X. “Additionally, we focused on efforts to increase the production of strike drones, cruise missiles, artillery shells and air-defense systems.”
The new aid follows the U.S. announcement last week of plans to provide $425 million in air-defense weapons, air-to-ground missiles, armored vehicles and other munitions.
Last week, Zelenskyy outlined a “victory plan” for ending the conflict in Ukraine by next year. The plan includes a formal invitation for Ukraine to join NATO and permission to use Western long-range missiles to strike military targets in Russia — two steps that allies have been reluctant to support previously, The Associated Press reported.
U.S. backing is crucial for Zelenskyy to get support from other allies for his proposals, which he believes are necessary to strengthen Ukraine’s position on the battlefield and ahead of any peace negotiations, according to the AP. But analysts have said President Joe Biden’s administration is unlikely to make a decision before the U.S. presidential election Nov. 5 because it might not appeal to voters.
Pentagon officials earlier this month said more than 600,000 Russian troops have been killed or injured since the Kremlin launched its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Austin’s trip to Kyiv marks his fourth visit to Ukraine and will likely be his last as the defense secretary.
The U.S. has provided about $59.5 billion in military aid to Ukraine since Russian forces invaded in February 2022.
The items in the military aid announced Monday include:
• Ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems.
• 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition.
• 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm mortar systems and rounds.
• Tube-launched, optically tracked, wire-guided missiles.
• Javelin and AT-4 anti-armor systems.
• M113 armored personnel carriers.
• Satellite communication equipment.
• Small arms and ammunition.
• Grenades and training equipment.
• Demolitions equipment and munitions.
• Equipment to protect critical national infrastructure.
• Spare parts, ancillary equipment, services, training and transportation.
