The head of the US Department of Defence, Lloyd Austin, was hospitalised on 1 January. Yesterday he returned to work.
Why head of Pentagon ended up in hospital
The information about Lloyd Austin's hospitalisation was officially confirmed by the spokesman for the US Department of Defence, General Patrick Ryder.
According to the latter, the head of the US Defence Ministry was hospitalised on the evening of 1 January at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre.
According to Patrick Ryder, this was due to complications arising from a recent routine medical procedure.
The Pentagon spokesman also added that Austin is recovering and returned to duty on 5 January.
US Ministry of Defence warns of consequences if there is no money for aid to Ukraine
According to Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder, if the US Congress does not approve President Joe Biden's request for further military aid to Ukraine, Washington will be forced to choose between its own combat readiness and supplying weapons to Kyiv.
Ryder has officially confirmed that the US Department of Defence currently has about $4.4 billion left, as well as another $1 billion in the Presidential Assistance Fund.
Of course, we have the option of spending the full $4.4 billion, but it is a difficult choice. Ultimately, we will have to make decisions about our own readiness and our ability to continue to support Ukraine to the extent that it needs support on the battlefield. That is why we are asking Congress to approve the request for additional funding as soon as possible, explained the US Department of Defence official.
