US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin left for Europe today, where he will seek to reassure Ukraine and Georgia that NATO’s door is open to both countries, according to an announcement issued by the Secretary of Defense.
“Austin will stress in both Georgia and Ukraine that there is an open door to NATO and encourage the nations to make the changes necessary for them to qualify for membership in the defensive alliance,” said the same announcement.
Prior to his departure, the US Secretary of Defense said on social media that he was looking forward to meeting with his counterparts in Ukraine, Georgia and Romania to reinforce United States’ commitment to a “safe, stable, and prosperous Europe.”
He will speak to the leaders of the countries on the security in the Black Sea and will seek to strengthen the cooperation between the three coastal countries.
Austin’s visit will conclude in Brussels, where he will take part in person in the first meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence since the start of the pandemic.
Source: ANA-MPA