Pentagon chief Austin arrives in Kyiv

Austin reported in X.

“I’m back in Ukraine for the fourth time as Secretary of Defense, demonstrating that the United States, alongside the international community, continues to stand by Ukraine,” Austin wrote.

CNN first reported the visit.

Austin arrived in Kyiv as the future of U.S. assistance to Ukraine “hangs in the balance of the imminent US presidential election and as Russia continues to make small but steady gains on the battlefield.”

Austin plans to meet in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to discuss Ukraine's arms needs and how the United States can continue to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces over the next year.

“The secretary’s visit will also serve as a moment for him to 'step back' and look at the 'arc' of the US-Ukraine relationship over the last two and a half years of war,” CNN quoted a senior defense official as saying.

• Austin last visited Kyiv on November 20, 2023, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.