US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in kyiv after touring in a single day by practice from Poland.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in kyiv on a shock diplomatic go to designed to underscore US assist for Ukraine in its struggle to push again Russian troops who’ve opened a brand new entrance line within the area. northeast of Kharkiv.
The journey is the primary by a senior U.S. official since Congress accepted a long-delayed $61 billion navy assist bundle for the nation final month, and amid issues that the U.S. authorities has been preoccupied for Israel’s warfare in opposition to Gaza.
Blinken, who arrived in kyiv by practice early Tuesday morning, hoped to “ship a robust sign of reassurance to Ukrainians who’re clearly in a really troublesome time,” stated a U.S. official who briefed reporters touring with Blinken. on situation of anonymity.
Blinken will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and different senior Ukrainian officers “to debate battlefield updates, the affect of latest US financial and safety help, long-term safety and different commitments, and work underway to spice up Ukraine’s financial restoration,” the State Division stated. in a sentence.
It’s his fourth go to to kyiv since Russia started its full-scale invasion in February 2022. He was final within the nation in September final 12 months.
Blinken’s arrival coincides with a renewed Russian push within the Kharkiv area and on the japanese entrance line, because it seeks to reap the benefits of Ukraine’s weaknesses in ammunition and manpower.
On Monday, U.S. nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan stated Washington was attempting to speed up “the tempo of deliveries” of weapons to Ukraine and reverse the drawback that resulted from Congress sitting on the arms bundle. helps for months.
“The delay put Ukraine in a gap and we try to assist them get out of that gap as rapidly as potential,” Sullivan stated, including {that a} new arms bundle was to be introduced this week.
Artillery, air protection interceptors and long-range ballistic missiles have already been delivered, a few of them to the entrance, stated the US official touring with Blinken.
Russia occupies about 18 % of Ukraine.
On Friday it launched a brand new offensive within the Kharkiv area, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of individuals.