KYIV, Ukraine — On Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made a surprise visit to Kyiv, arriving just hours after a series of drone strikes targeted the Ukrainian capital. This visit comes as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy renews his call for ongoing military assistance from Western allies amidst a challenging Russian offensive in the eastern regions, which has led to the loss of several towns, villages, and hamlets by Ukrainian forces.
Austin, addressing the situation via the X platform, stated that this was his fourth trip to Ukraine, underscoring the commitment of both the United States and the global community to support Ukraine. Despite these reassurances, the Ukrainian military is currently grappling with a significant and relentless Russian assault which has intensified over recent weeks.
President Zelenskyy is actively advocating for his proposed ‘victory plan’ aimed at concluding the nearly three-year-long conflict, which represents Europe’s most significant military engagement since World War II, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides, including many innocent civilians. This strategy entails formally inviting Ukraine to join NATO and securing the ability to utilize advanced Western long-range missiles against military targets in Russia—proposals that have met hesitance from Kyiv’s allies in the past.
The reception to Zelenskyy’s requests from Western nations has been somewhat tepid. During his visit, Austin was anticipated to engage in discussions with Ukrainian officials regarding this strategic plan. In a video address on Sunday evening, Zelenskyy revealed that his plan has garnered support from countries including France, Lithuania, Nordic nations, and several unnamed allies within the European Union.
Despite the backing of these nations, the pivotal support from the United States—Ukraine’s most significant military supporter—remains essential. Zelenskyy mentioned that he had been receiving “very positive signals” from the U.S., though he did not confirm any official endorsement for his plan.
In a concerning development, Russia launched an overnight attack involving three missiles and 116 Shahed drones directed at Ukraine. The Ukrainian air force reported sounds of artillery and drone engines echoing through the center of Kyiv during the night. Authorities noted minor damage to civilian infrastructure caused by debris from the drones in various districts throughout the city.