Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States for what he called a “crucial package” of aid, as he hosted talks Tuesday in Kyiv with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Blinken arrived in the country hours earlier on an unannounced trip to deliver what U.S. officials called a “strong message of reassurance” at a time when Ukrainian forces are facing strong attacks by Russia’s military in eastern Ukraine and are awaiting the arrival of new weapons shipments from allies help with defense.
Zelenskyy told Blinken his visit was coming during a “tough period for the east of our country.”
During the past week, Russia has intensified its attacks on the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine.
Zelenskyy said he would discuss with Blinken getting the new U.S. aid to Ukraine as quickly as possible, as well as bolstering Ukraine’s air defenses, including the hope that Ukraine could secure Patriot missile systems to help protect Kharkiv.
Blinken said the United States, along with other Ukrainian partners, are determined to make sure Ukraine has what it needs to be successful in fighting the Russian invasion.
“We know this is a challenging time, but we also know that in the near-term the assistance is now on the way,” Blinken said. “Some of it has already arrived, more of it will be arriving, and that’s going to make a real difference against the ongoing Russian aggression on the battlefield.”
Blinken’s visit also includes talks with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba and delivering a speech in Kyiv.
