During an unexpected trip to Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday. Blinken reassured Zelenskyy that American military assistance is forthcoming, as reported by The New York Times.
This occurs during a “challenging time” as the country confronts Russia. It signifies Blinken’s initial encounter since arriving in Kyiv and took place amidst Russian military advancements in the northeast region of the country.
In an elaborate conference room at his presidential offices on Bankova Street, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy remarked that US Secretary of State Blinken’s visit coincided with “a tough period for the east of our country.”
Later, according to The New York Times, the Ukrainian leader extended profuse gratitude to Blinken for the “crucial” USD 60.8 billion aid package for his country, which President Biden signed last month following months of congressional Republican infighting. Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s requirements persisted, citing recent Russian military advancements around the northeastern city of Kharkiv.
Overnight, Russian forces seized another village, Lukiantsi, and conducted bombings in the city of Kharkiv on Tuesday morning, resulting in injuries to four individuals.
Zelenskyy also emphasized the shortage of air defense capabilities, stating, “We really need it today, two Patriots for Kharkiv.” The Patriot refers to a surface-to-air missile system manufactured in the US, as per The New York Times.
However, Blinken did not specifically respond to that request, but said, “We know this is a challenging time. But we also know that in the near term, assistance is now on the way. Some of it already arrived, and more of it will be arriving, and that’s going to make a real difference against the Russian aggression on the battlefield.”
This unannounced visit marks the fourth occasion the US Secretary of State has visited since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Blinken, arriving via an overnight train from Poland, intends to deliver a speech later on Tuesday, celebrating the surge of American aid and framing Russia’s unsuccessful attempt to seize control of the country as a strategic victory for Ukraine, as per a senior US official.
Additionally, the official noted that Blinken will emphasize Ukraine’s necessity to persist in advancing democratic governance and anticorruption reforms if it aims to integrate with the West.
For months, US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Blinken had cautioned that Congress’ delay in approving urgently needed US arms would leave Ukraine’s military exposed along an eastern battlefront, which has remained deadlocked for months, as reported by The New York Times.
However, the official refrained from explicitly linking the delayed aid to Russia’s advancements near the city of Kharkiv. Nonetheless, it was acknowledged that the funding gap had left Ukraine, whose military lacks essential ammunition and equipment, in a weakened state.
Over the past few years, Blinken and Zelensky have fostered a personal relationship through numerous encounters in Europe and the US. The Secretary of State, having visited Kyiv twice in the year leading up to Russia’s full-scale invasion, is regarded there as one of Washington’s primary advocates for robust Western backing of Ukraine.
“I know you did a lot for this positive decision,” Zelensky told Blinken of the new aid package.
“We’ve travelled a long road together these past couple of years,” Blinken said.
In March, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with Zelensky in Kyiv prior to the package being passed.