As Russia challenges Ukraine in the east, Blinken pays an unexpected visit to Kiev.according to VOA.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived Tuesday in Kyiv on an unannounced visit to deliver what U.S. officials called a “strong message of reassurance” at a time when Ukrainian forces are facing stiff fighting from Russia’s military in eastern Ukraine and are awaiting the arrival of new weapons shipments from allies to help with defense.
Blinken’s visit includes talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement that Blinken would “discuss battlefield updates, the impact of new U.S. security and economic assistance, long-term security and other commitments, and ongoing work to bolster Ukraine’s economic recovery.”
