The US Secretary of State arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Tuesday evening, where he is due to meet President Volodymyr Zelensky and senior officials.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday as part of an unannounced diplomatic mission aimed at reassuring Ukraine of US support in its fight against increasingly intense Russian attacks.
The visit comes less than a month after Congress approved a long-delayed foreign aid package, including $60 billion in aid to Ukraine, much of which will be used to replenish artillery and air defense systems which were severely damaged.
In his fourth trip to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Blinken will highlight the Biden administration’s commitment to Ukraine’s long-term defense and security , American officials said. Since President Joe Biden signed the aid package late last month, the administration has already announced $1.4 billion in short-term military aid and $6 billion in longer-term support. dollars.
She “try to pick up the pace” U.S. arms deliveries to Ukraine, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said.
“What I’m going to suggest is that the level of intensity currently displayed in terms of transporting equipment is 10 out of 10”Mr. Sullivan told reporters during a press conference at the White House.
Artillery pieces, air defense interceptors and long-range ballistic missiles have already been delivered, some of them already on the front lines, said a senior US official traveling with the secretary of state on a night train from Poland.
Mr. Blinken “will send a strong signal of reassurance” to Ukrainian leaders and civil society figures he will meet during his two-day visit, said the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity ahead of Mr. Blinken’s meetings.
In a statement released after Blinken’s arrival, the State Department said he would meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior Ukrainian officials. “to discuss battlefield updates, the impact of new U.S. economic and security assistance, long-term security and other commitments, and ongoing work to support recovery Economic Affairs of Ukraine.