Expert analyzes why Pentagon Chief Austin personally came to Kyiv

He said this on Espreso TV. 

"The main purpose of Austin's visit to Kyiv is to coordinate our needs while the US House of Representatives is considering the budget for next year. These are crucial months when Ukraine and Israel need to improve the situation at the front, to prove themselves on the battlefield. The visit of the Pentagon chief has a diplomatic character. It is to show that despite the problems associated with the US elections and a potential change in the approach to Ukraine, America will continue to help Ukraine," Kraiev emphasized.

According to the expert of the Foreign Policy Council Ukrainian Prism, Lloyd Austin came personally to reflect the level of relations between Ukraine and the United States.

"Austin also needs to be in contact with the leadership of each branch of the Armed Forces and the Defense Ministry. The Pentagon chief needs to hold personal consultations. A team of strategists came with Austin to assist and plan. They need to discuss at the highest level the future program and the future strategy of the Armed Forces," Kraiev suggested.

• On February 20, the United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in the Ukrainian capital. He met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
• The Pentagon chief's visit to Kyiv comes on the eve of a meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense in the Ramstein format, which is scheduled to take place on November 22.