Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was forced to cancel a visit to Brussels after being admitted to a critical care unit on Sunday, officials confirmed to the Post.
Austin was scheduled to participate Wednesday in a gathering of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group to discuss the escalating war between Kiev and Moscow with key partners.
The talks are scheduled to take place just over a week before the two-year anniversary of Russia’s bloody invasion, and as Congress struggles to pass additional legislation to renew support for the war-torn allies. It was held during.
Walter Reed doctors said in a statement that Austin, 70, was admitted to Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Sunday after experiencing “symptoms suggestive of an emergent bladder problem.” He was then transferred to the critical care unit.
“It is unclear how long Secretary Austin will remain in the hospital,” doctors said in a statement. “The current bladder problems are not expected to change his expected full recovery. His cancer prognosis remains favorable.”
Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Austin’s duties were handed over to Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks while he was hospitalized.
Last month, it was revealed that the Pentagon chief and his team had not disclosed the two hospitalizations to military leaders, Congress or even the White House, causing an uproar.
Austin was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December. On December 22nd she underwent prostatectomy.
But then complications arose and he was admitted to the intensive care unit in early January, where he remained until he was discharged on January 15th.
Austin values his personal privacy, but has been criticized by critics for not speaking openly about health issues given his role overseeing the military.
The Pentagon chief later apologized for the ordeal.
“I didn’t handle this the right way,” Austin admitted earlier this month.
“I should have told the president about my cancer diagnosis. I should have told my team and the American people. I apologize to my teammates and the American people.”
Mr. Austin is scheduled to appear at a hearing before the House Armed Services Committee by the end of this month, where he will be asked questions about his medical struggles and the lack of publicity on the issue.
Last month, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) launched a formal congressional investigation into Austin’s health scare and lack of disclosure.
Mr. Rogers is seeking a “detailed account” of his hospitalization and Mr. Austin’s interactions with defense and White House officials.
