US Secretary of State Blinken visits Kyiv

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Ukraine has begun. Blinken has arrived in the capital Kyiv and will hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and senior Ukrainian officials

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken today began his first visit to Ukraine since planned aid to the country was delayed. 

According to a senior U.S. official, Blinken will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and deliver a speech later in the day to emphasize continued U.S. support for Ukraine in all areas, including military, economic, energy, and democratic institution-building.

Blinken will also highlight Ukraine’s strategic achievements in its ongoing war against Russian occupation, the official said.

Amid Ukraine’s setbacks on the battlefield, Blinken plans to send “a strong reassurance signal to Ukrainians,” the official said.

The visit comes as Russia continues its new offensive against Northeastern Ukraine after making several major advances there last week. Russia is enjoying a period of its most serious gains on the Kharkiv front since 2022.

Blinken’s visit comes weeks after U.S. President Joe Biden signed a $61 billion foreign aid package for Ukraine.

The official said Blinken would also outline “other steps we are taking to provide long-term assurances and commitments to Ukraine, including our bilateral security agreement.”

U.S. officials acknowledge that a slowdown in U.S. support due to congressional wrangling has exacerbated the difficult situation for Ukraine.

“There is no question that this has come at a cost,” Blinken said in a speech over the weekend. “We are doing everything we can to accelerate that assistance.”

Source: AA