United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin cancelled a trip to Brussels for NATO defence talks after being admitted to a military hospital for a second time this year, the Pentagon said on Monday (Feb 12).
Austin, 70, was taken to Walter Reed Military Medical Center on Sunday for “symptoms suggesting an emergent bladder issue”.
On Monday, he underwent nonsurgical procedures under general anesthesia to address his bladder issue, the hospital said.
“Secretary Austin will no longer travel to Brussels this week as originally scheduled,” Air Force Major General Patrick Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson, told a news briefing.
Austin had failed to disclose a prostate cancer surgery in December and a subsequent hospitalisation in January to deal with its complications, triggering a political uproar and multiple investigations.
The Pentagon has not said whether Austin’s bladder issue was another complication from that prostate surgery, but the hospital appeared to be upbeat about his cancer prognosis.
Austin was set to depart for the meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels taking place on Thursday, and a separate meeting with allies on Wednesday on how to continue supporting Ukraine in countering Russia’s invasion.
The Pentagon said the meeting on Ukraine’s defense needs, known as the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG), would be held virtually.
“While Secretary Austin currently intends to participate in the virtual UDCG, he will remain flexible depending on his healthcare status,” Ryder said.
It was unclear when Austin would be discharged from the hospital, but he has transferred his duties to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks. Walter Reed said Austin was expected to be able to resume his normal duties on Tuesday.
“A prolonged hospital stay is not anticipated,” it said in a statement.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Monday that President Joe Biden has no concerns about whether Austin can serve after his latest hospitalisation.
Source: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/pentagon-chief-austin-nato-meetings-illness-4118671