“Ukraine will last much longer than Putin.” Results of Blinken’s visit to Kyiv
During a visit to Kyiv, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and pledged more than $ 700 million in military aid.
About half of the funding is under Ukraine itself, and will finally be shared between NATO members and other allies in the region.
In addition, the United States is selling $ 165 million worth of ammunition to Kyiv.
Such news was released after a closed visit, which the Americans did not officially confirm until the last for security reasons.
This is the highest visit of the American leadership to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion.
“We support”
Volodymyr Zelensky is important for the country of visit of Kyiv American high-ranking officials at this difficult time.
“I want to thank President Biden from myself and the entire Ukrainian people for his leadership in supporting Ukraine, for his special position. To thank all the American people, as well as Congress for bilateral and bipartisan support. We see it,” Zelensky said.
The President discussed with the US delegation the most important issues now – defense assistance, strengthening sanctions, Russia’s guarantees, financial support and security.
He noted that the United States provided support totaling $ 3.4 billion. is the greatest contribution to strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Attention was also paid to the sanctions policy, which, according to Zelensky, should continue to strengthen and become an important element of influence on Russia.
“We have those that are the next steps on this track. I am in support of the partners,” Zelensky said, handing over the US action plan to strengthen sanctions against Russia.
“Ukraine will be much longer than Putin”
After his trips to Kyiv, Anthony Blink decided that this was to demonstrate America’s support for the Ukrainian government.
According to him, during the meeting with officials, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the leadership of President Joe Biden and the generosity of the United States towards Ukraine.
Blinken added that Russia continues to commit atrocities, but Ukrainians are holding on tight. He also says that Moscow is failing in its military goals, while Ukraine is succeeding.
“The point is this. We do not know how this war will unfold, but we know that a sovereign independent Ukraine will last much longer than Vladimir Putin. And our support for Ukraine will continue, and it will continue until we see final success. “, – replied the Secretary of State.
Anthony Blinken said that he and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Kyiv by train from Poland.
According to him, the American delegation saw many people on the street, because of the fact that the battle won the city.
The State Department also reports that US diplomats will return to Ukraine this week.
Employees of the embassy, which was temporarily transferred to Poland’s neighbor, will soon begin one-day trips to Lviv, according to American media.
At the same time, Blink says that the United States is deliberately careful when deciding to reopen the embassy in Kyiv, taking into account security considerations.
During the visit, US representatives also mentioned the name of the new US Ambassador to Ukraine.
This position, which has been vacant since the beginning of the Donald Trump administration in 2020, will be held by Bridget Brink, a highly experienced diplomat who is currently the ambassador to Slovakia. U.S. media reports say President Joe Biden formally nominated her later Monday.
With the necessary weapons, Ukraine will win the war
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is also making a statement following the trip to Kyiv.
He said that the nature of the war in Ukraine has changed, so it needs long-range weapons, and the country has expressed the need for tanks.
According to him, it is difficult for the United States to track what is happening with the weapons handed over to Ukraine, because there are no American troops on the ground. But he speaks to Ukrainians to make sure he uses the transferred weapons as best he can.
“The first step to victory is to believe that you can win … We believe that we can win, they can win if they have the right equipment, the right support,” he said.
He added that Zelensky was grateful for everything that the United States was creating, but focused on what else he needed to succeed.
Although Blinken and Austin promised new military aid during the trip, US officials or not does not mean that the United States will take part in the war.
“The president is very clear that American troops will not fight in Ukraine and this will include the skies over Ukraine,” the defense ministry said.
“This visit does not portend real involvement of the US military,” he added.