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Transcript/ScriptUkraine - Austin (TV)
HEADLINE: US Defense Secretary in Ukraine in Show of Support
TEASER: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his cabinet Monday to discuss the imminent winter fight and plan for future security assistance to Ukraine
PUBLISHED AT: 11/20/23 at 9:40 pm
BYLINE: Carla Babb
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Kyiv, Ukraine
VIDEOGRAPHER: none
SCRIPT EDITORS: Aru Pande, DLJ
VIDEO SOURCE (S): REUTERS/AP feeds
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 2:34
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE: TVPKG
UPDATE:
EDITORS NOTES: ))
(( INTRO ))
[[U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made a visit to Ukraine Monday to reassure Ukrainian leaders the United States will continue to support the country in its fight against Russia. It was Austin’s first visit to the Ukrainian capital since April 2022, and the first time members of the press accompanied him since the war began. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb is traveling with the secretary and has more from Kyiv.]]
((NARRATOR))
((Mandatory Courtesy: Reuters / Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade))((First shot only))
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday and his cabinet to discuss the immediate winter fight and long-term security planning for Ukraine.
((Standup, if using: Carla Babb, VOA News))
“The surprise stop comes amid concern that U.S. support for Ukraine could be wavering as U.S. attention shifts to the conflict in the Middle East.”
Zelenskyy told Austin that his coming to Ukraine was an important signal for Ukrainians at this difficult time.
((Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian President))
“We are very thankful to the American people. They are with us (through) all these difficulties.”
((NARRATOR))
Austin praised Zelenskyy’s leadership during the nearly two-year war,
((Mandatory Courtesy: Reuters / Ukraine’s 3rd Assault Brigade))
which began in February of 2022, when Russia illegally invaded Ukraine.
((Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary))
"You've led the Ukrainian people to do things that were unimaginable to most people from the very beginning. And so, we've seen grit, ingenuity, we've seen courage on the part of the Ukrainian people that has really impressed the world. The message that I bring you today, Mr. President, is that the United States of America is with you. We will remain with you for the long haul."
((NARRATOR))
After the meeting, Austin announced another aid package for Ukraine to include more munitions and an additional HIMARS artillery rocket system. He also met with Ukrainian troops who had fought on the frontlines near Bakhmut.
VOA asked Defense Secretary Austin here at St. Michael’s Square
((Mandatory Courtesy: AFP / Ukraine Separate Presidential Brigade))
about concerns that Russia will try to use this winter to dig in their defenses in territory they control.
((END COURTESY))
((Lloyd Austin, US Defense Secretary))
“You heard President Zelenskyy say a number of times that he intends to continue to keep the pressure on the Russians. And so, we expect that, you know, that that will absolutely happen.”
((VIDEO: ))
Senior U.S. defense officials say air defenses will be critical, adding that the United States has surged air defense systems and munitions to Ukraine.
The temperature has really started dropping these days, and Western officials and Ukrainian officials are concerned that Russia may try to use the same playbook this winter as it did last winter, targeting critical infrastructure and cutting supply in some of the coldest days of the year.
Drone attacks over the weekend caused power outages in hundreds of towns.
((Standup, if using: Carla Babb, VOA News))
Some of the drones also targeted here in Kyiv, but Ukrainian officials say all the drones launched at the capital were shot down.
((Reporting in Kyiv, Carla Babb, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
Reporting in Kyiv
Embargo DateNovember 20, 2023 23:50 EST
Byline
Carla Babb, VOA News
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
