U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Visits Ukraine to Reassure Amid War with Russia
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Tuesday in a diplomatic mission to reassure the country amid its ongoing war with Russia. Blinken arrived in Kyiv and is expected to meet with senior Ukrainian officials to highlight the United States’ enduring support for Ukraine.
During his visit, Blinken will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba to discuss battlefield updates, the impact of new U.S. security and economic assistance, and ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine’s economic recovery. The State Department emphasized America’s commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and democracy in the face of Russia’s aggression.
This visit comes less than a month after Congress approved a $60 billion foreign assistance package for Ukraine, with most of the aid going towards replenishing artillery and air defense systems. Blinken’s visit marks his fourth trip to Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, despite ongoing fighting between the two countries.
National security adviser Jake Sullivan stated that the new aid package aims to accelerate the tempo of U.S. weapon shipments to Ukraine, with $1.4 billion in short-term military assistance and $6 billion in longer-term support already announced by the administration. President Biden signed the aid package late last month.
Blinken’s visit to Ukraine underscores the Biden administration’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in its conflict with Russia and ensuring its defense against Russian attacks. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
