2024-10-21 08:26:00
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Kiev on Monday for an unannounced visit, just hours after a Russian drone attack on the Ukrainian capital, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stepped up pressure on allies to Ask it to continue providing military assistance to the war.
Austin said on the social network
Ukraine is struggling to contain Russia’s aggressive offensive on the eastern front, forcing Kiev’s troops to gradually withdraw from several towns.
Zelensky urged his Western allies to back what he called a “victory plan” to end the nearly three-year war, Europe’s largest conflict since World War II, which has left tens of thousands dead on both sides, including many civilians.
His strategy includes Ukraine receiving a formal invitation to join NATO and being given permission to use long-range Western missiles to strike Russian military targets, both moves that have raised suspicion among Kyiv‘s allies in the past.
The West has received a lukewarm response, and Austin is expected to discuss the plan with Ukrainian officials in Kiev.
Zelensky said in a video message on Sunday night that his plan had the support of France, Lithuania, Nordic countries and “many other allies” of the EU, without naming them.
However, the key country is the United States, which is Ukraine’s largest military supplier.
Zelensky said he had received “very positive signals from the United States” but stopped short of saying his plan had won support from Washington.
Russia launched three missiles and 116 Shahd drones into Ukraine overnight from Sunday to Monday, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Machine gun fire and the noise of drone engines could be heard throughout the night in central Kiev. Authorities reported that debris from the fallen drone caused minor damage to civilian infrastructure in three areas of the city.
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