US Defense Secretary Austin attended the online meeting, marking his first appearance since the hospitalization and information concealment scandal earlier this month.
"The security of the international community is at stake in Ukraine's war. I am more determined than ever to work with our allies and partners to support Ukraine," US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in an online meeting today.
This is the first time Secretary Austin has appeared since the hospitalization and information concealment scandal in early January. He mentioned the $250 million military aid package for Ukraine that the US announced last month, calling for more aid to Kiev for air defense systems.
The Pentagon chief took a brief break during the meeting, but did not mention his health.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin delivers opening remarks at a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group from his home in Great Falls, Virginia on January 23. Photo: AP
Secretary Austin, 70, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in early December. He underwent surgery to remove his prostate on December 22 and returned home the following day. He was readmitted to the hospital on January 1 due to complications, diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, and discharged on January 15.
The White House learned of Austin’s condition on January 4, and Congress learned the following day. President Joe Biden was informed of Austin’s condition by his chief of staff on January 9. The news of Austin’s hospitalization was kept from his deputy.
Secretary Austin sits directly below President Biden in the military chain of command and is responsible for responding immediately to a national security crisis. The defense secretary needs to be ready to communicate securely with government officials in the event of a nuclear attack, something that would be nearly impossible in a hospital intensive care unit.
The scandal has raised concerns among lawmakers about Austin's ability to command the US military, prompting calls for him to resign or be fired. The House Armed Services Committee on January 18 asked the Pentagon chief to testify on February 14. President Biden on January 13 said that Secretary Austin's withholding of information was "the wrong decision" but still had faith in the Pentagon chief.
Nhu Tam (According to Reuters, AFP )
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