U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made a visit to Ukraine on Monday, signaling Washington's ongoing commitment to Kyiv, just two weeks before a U.S. presidential election that may impact Western support.
This trip will focus on U.S. efforts to bolster Ukraine’s defenses as Russian forces press forward in the eastern region.
Despite this, no new U.S. commitments are expected to address some of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's key requests, such as lifting restrictions on using U.S.-supplied weapons to strike targets beyond Ukraine’s borders. As the Biden administration nears its conclusion, Austin underscored the continuity of U.S. assistance, stating, "We are going to continue to support Ukraine in its efforts to defend its sovereign territory."
Austin expressed that the U.S. has adapted its support to Ukraine's evolving needs throughout the conflict, ensuring Ukraine remained effective on the battlefield. His visit comes before the upcoming U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5, where former President Donald Trump, the Republican candidate, is in a tight race against Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump hinted at being less willing to continue aid to Ukraine, potentially impacting Kyiv's main military and financial supporter. However, Austin downplayed these concerns, pointing to bipartisan support for Ukraine in Congress, saying, "I have seen bipartisan support for Ukraine over the last 2-1/2 years, and I fully expect that we will continue to see the bipartisan support from Congress."
Russian President Vladimir Putin appears determined to commit more troops to the eastern Donbas region, aiming for full control. In recent weeks, Russian forces have encircled and slowly tightened their grip on towns in Donetsk, forcing Ukrainian troops to retreat. Austin acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, describing it as, "a very tough fight and it's a tough slog."
The United States said it had reopened its embassy in Kyiv late on Wednesday after it had shut for the day due to what it called the threat of a significant air attack, a day after Ukraine used American missiles to hit a target inside Russia.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the Crimea peninsula, seized by Russia in 2014, would have to be restored to Ukrainian sovereignty through diplomacy.
Biden has approved anti-personnel mines for Ukraine to counter Russian advances. Unlike Russian mines, US mines deactivate after a set time. This follows Ukraine’s use of US ATACMS missiles, escalating the conflict.
The U.S. embassy in Kyiv has closed due to a potential air attack, with staff sheltering in place. The closure follows Ukraine’s use of U.S. ATACMS missiles in Russian territory, amid rising tensions and increasing nuclear risks.
North Korean troops, numbering 10,900, have been deployed to Kursk with Russian forces, some already fighting in Ukraine, a South Korean lawmaker said. The country has also supplied Russia with additional weapons, including howitzers and rocket launchers.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, the court said on Thursday.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel describes her dealings with world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during her 16 years in power in her new memoir, which comes as her legacy is under fire in light of today's crises.
Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, active again after 800 years, has seen repeated volcanic eruptions since 2021. From lava fountains to massive fissures, eruptions have reshaped the landscape, attracting tourists while prompting evacuations and safety warnings.
An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck the Dashtestan district of Bushehr Province in southern Iran at 8:30 a.m. local time today, according to the National Seismology Center of the Institute of Geophysics at Tehran University.
"Come up with the video in its full form," demands the COP29 CEO, Elnur Soltanov, in an exclusive interview with AnewZ. The chief executive has broken his silence on the claims he was using his position to organise potential fossil fuel deals.
The United Nations COP29 climate change conference in Baku seeks $1 trillion annually to help vulnerable nations tackle climate change, as political tensions and Argentina’s withdrawal overshadow talks.
Afghanistan calls on COP29 leaders to prioritize vulnerable communities in climate justice, grateful to Azerbaijan for inclusion.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel describes her dealings with world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during her 16 years in power in her new memoir, which comes as her legacy is under fire in light of today's crises.
The United States said it had reopened its embassy in Kyiv late on Wednesday after it had shut for the day due to what it called the threat of a significant air attack, a day after Ukraine used American missiles to hit a target inside Russia.
China's defense minister declined a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a meeting of defense leaders in Laos, a move the Pentagon chief said on Wednesday was unfortunate.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy acknowledged the Crimea peninsula, seized by Russia in 2014, would have to be restored to Ukrainian sovereignty through diplomacy.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence chief, as well as a Hamas leader, Ibrahim Al-Masri, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity, the court said on Thursday.
Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel describes her dealings with world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump during her 16 years in power in her new memoir, which comes as her legacy is under fire in light of today's crises.
Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, active again after 800 years, has seen repeated volcanic eruptions since 2021. From lava fountains to massive fissures, eruptions have reshaped the landscape, attracting tourists while prompting evacuations and safety warnings.
An earthquake measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale struck the Dashtestan district of Bushehr Province in southern Iran at 8:30 a.m. local time today, according to the National Seismology Center of the Institute of Geophysics at Tehran University.
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