2023-09-06 13:26:00
The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, landed in Kiev for a surprise visit this Wednesday (6), during which he is expected to announce an additional aid of one billion dollars (4.96 billion reais) for Ukraine.
The State Department announced Blinken’s arrival and said he was received in Kiev by US Ambassador Bridget Brink.
An official on Blinken’s staff said the foreign minister expects “to announce another billion dollars in new US funding for Ukraine during the visit.”
This is Blinken’s fourth visit to Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
The State Secretary is expected to address Ukraine’s needs, in particular military assistance, during meetings with President Volodymir Zelensky, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Defense Minister Dmitro Kuleba.
Washington intends to maintain “efforts” so that the Ukrainians “have what they need for this phase of the battle”, said the State Department source who requested anonymity.
In June, Kiev launched a counteroffensive in the south and east of the country, where Russian troops occupy almost 20% of Ukrainian territory.
“This is material not only for attacking, but also for really getting into the fierce defense lines set up by the Russians,” the source said.
“Air defense remains a priority,” he added.
“Ukrainian forces have made impressive gains in the south in particular, but also in the east in recent days and weeks. But I think the most important thing is that we get a true assessment from the Ukrainians themselves,” the State Department source summarized.
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