President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who arrived on a visit to Ukraine. During the meeting, they discussed the situation at the front and the needs of the Defense Forces.
The meeting between Zelenskyy and Austin
The President's Office reports that the US delegation also included the Commander of the European Command of the US Armed Forces and the Supreme Commander of the Joint NATO Forces in Europe, Christopher Cavoli.
During the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked US President Joe Biden, Congress and the American people for supporting Ukraine.
We are extremely grateful to President Joseph Biden. It is very important for us that the USA is with us. We count on your support and are proud to have you with us.
The visit of the American delegation took place on the eve of the next meeting in the Rammstein format, which will take place on November 22. Zelenskyy discussed the current situation at the front, strategic goals, and priority needs of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.
Also, during the meeting, they emphasized the need to strengthen Ukraine's capabilities on the eve of winter. They discussed the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and ensuring the functioning of the alternative "grain corridor".
Austin wanted to know about Ukraine's winter strategy
According to The Washington Post, the Americans wanted to hear from Zelenskyy about Ukraine's winter strategy.
US officials expect Russia to use the winter to regroup its forces and strike Ukrainian power plants and other civilian infrastructure, as it did last winter.
Officials accompanying Austin said the United States could continue sending aid, including long-range weapons and artillery ammunition, at least "for some time."
