U.S. Secretary of State Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Tuesday, marking the first visit by a senior U.S. official to Ukraine since the U.S. Congress passed a $6.1 billion military aid package for Ukraine. Ukraine is currently fighting back against Russia’s fierce bombardment on its northeastern borders. Blinken’s unannounced visit aims to demonstrate the United States’ support for Ukraine.
American officials stated that this is Blinken’s fourth visit to Kyiv since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2022. They also noted that since President Biden signed the aid package last month, the government has announced $1.4 billion in short-term military assistance to Ukraine, as well as up to $60 billion in long-term support.
An official mentioned that Blinken arrived in Kyiv by train on Tuesday morning, hoping to send a strong message of reassurance to Ukraine in these extremely challenging times. “The Secretary of State’s mission here is essentially to discuss how our supplemental assistance will be implemented to strengthen their defense and gradually regain the initiative on the battlefield,” the official said.
Officials revealed that artillery, Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) long-range missiles, and air defense intercept systems approved by President Biden on April 24 have already been delivered to Ukrainian forces.
It is reported that Blinken will assure Ukrainian officials, including President Zelensky, of enduring U.S. support and deliver a speech focusing on Ukraine’s future.
In recent months, as Western military aid slowed down, Russian forces have gained the upper hand on the battlefield, utilizing ample troops and ammunition to slowly advance. On Monday, U.S. National Security Advisor Sullivan stated that Washington is trying to expedite the pace of arms deliveries to help Ukraine turn the tide.
Sullivan said, “Delaying only compounds Ukraine’s difficulties, and we are working to help them get out of the situation as soon as possible.” He added that the U.S. will unveil a new military aid package this week.
Russia currently controls about 18% of Ukrainian territory and has been expanding its gains since the failed Kyiv counteroffensive in 2023.
Last week, Russian forces captured nine villages near the northeastern border of Ukraine, moving towards the vicinity of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, thus opening a new front. The U.S. official noted, “They (Russian forces) are evidently committing all their forces eastward.”
Officials also mentioned that Kyiv’s ongoing economic and political reforms will pave the way for Ukraine to join the European Union and eventually NATO. While NATO cannot immediately admit Ukraine, individual member countries are negotiating bilateral security agreements with Kyiv. The U.S. official stated that negotiations on the U.S.-Ukraine agreement are in their final stages and are expected to be completed before the NATO summit in July.