The American minister indicated what support would look like in the future.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin paid an unexpected visit on Monday. He met with the state leadership, announced a new $400 million package and spoke at the Diplomatic Academy in Kyiv, where, in fact, he addressed everyone through the media. And although this is not the first, but actually the fourth visit of the current head of the Pentagon, it still had its own important features.
Austin arrived in Kyiv at a time when the election campaign in the United States had almost entered its final phase. At a time when the question of who will win the race for the White House has become even less predictable. And at a time when the topic was again at the epicenter of election battles in the USA – with ambiguous prospects for our country. This has added to the sense of uncertainty about future support from the US, as the presidential candidates differ on the issue.
In short, Kamala Harris as the current vice president has been consistent in her pledges of continued support. She, like Joe Biden, appeals to the values of democracy and the preservation of peaceful order, for which they say they are fighting. At the same time, there is a belief within the Democratic Party that Harris can be a much tougher and more decisive leader than President Joe Biden. And although Harris did not have time to show such qualities in the White House in almost four years – because she played the role of a team player – she has long been known for her firm character since the time when she was the attorney general of California and a senator from this state. Harris last appeared at a presidential debate in September, after which Trump’s campaign staff flatly refused further public meetings with her.
On the other hand, former President Donald Trump is known for his history with impeachment announced back in December 2019 due to aid suspensions. In addition, everyone knows about his undisguised sympathy for Putin, including the latest revelations about seven phone conversations with the Kremlin leader in recent years. In addition, Trump’s recent statements about his supposedly friendly relationship with Putin indicate that his attitude toward the Russian president has not changed since the full-scale invasion.
Therefore, it is not surprising that Donald Trump does not share the approaches of the Biden administration. He criticizes the current head of the White House for excessive spending on foreign aid and declares without explanation that he will end the war with just a call to Putin and Zelensky. Here – without unnecessary comments.
And even Trump’s statements that he supposedly “threatened” Putin back in 2019 with strikes on Moscow if the Russian Federation invaded, currently look more like a campaign move by the ex-president than a real change in his attitude.
The main purpose of Austin’s visit, as noted in the Pentagon, was to assure: America will not leave and will continue to support it. At least, in the near term – until January next year, when the White House will be headed by a new administration.
In order to confirm these intentions, the head of the Pentagon announced a new package of defense assistance for $400 million. He also gave encouragement ahead of a difficult winter and paid tribute to the people for their resilience both at the front and throughout the war-torn country.
In order to reduce the feeling of uncertainty about the prospects of further aid, the head of the Pentagon, without directly mentioning the election, essentially tried to assure that the system of checks and balances in the USA would work this time as well. And that America will continue to uphold the principles on which it was founded.
“America’s values call us to support a peaceful democracy fighting for its survival. And America’s security requires us to resist Putin’s aggression,” Austin said during his speech at the Dypacademy.
At the same time, he reminded that the United States is not the only strong supporter, mentioning half a hundred countries of the Rammstein format.
“If calculated as a percentage of GDP, a dozen allies and partners of the United States now provide more security assistance than the United States,” the head of the Pentagon emphasized in this regard.
He again appealed to the fact that the victory will determine the trajectory of global security in the 21st century and that the future of Europe and America itself is at stake. So, by this logic, despite any political development in the US, success will remain the business of the entire democratic world. And the United States, he continued, will defend every inch of NATO territory and give it what it needs to fight for its survival and security.
