Following his hospitalization for symptoms related to prostate cancer, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has canceled his trip to Brussels to meet with NATO ministers and discuss military help for Ukraine, according to US sources.
According to the Pentagon, Austin, 70, was brought to Walter Reed Military Medical Center on Sunday with “symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue.”
Austin had nonsurgical treatments under general anesthesia to address the bladder condition, according to a statement released by the doctors on Monday.
“Long-term hospital stays are not expected.” His physicians released a statement saying, “We anticipate the Secretary will be able to resume his normal duties tomorrow.”
According to the statement, “his anticipated full recovery is not expected to be affected by the current bladder issue.” “His prognosis for cancer is still excellent.”
In order to organize military assistance for Kyiv, Austin was supposed to travel to Brussels on Tuesday for a regular meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which consists of roughly 50 nations. According to two US defense officials who spoke to The Associated Press under condition of anonymity, the meeting will now take place virtually.
Austin was scheduled to attend a normal NATO defense ministers conference in Brussels following the meeting with Ukraine. Austin has delegated his responsibilities to Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, however it is unclear at this time if Hicks will attend the meeting in her place.
Speaking on Monday, White House national security spokesperson John Kirby stated that President Joe Biden is not worried about Austin’s ability to serve following his most recent hospital stay.
Not long after his security detail brought him to the military medical center, the most recent hospitalization was made public.
