The visit was not publicly announced for security reasons – The US Secretary of State will deliver a “strong message” and “reassure” the Ukrainians, who are “obviously in a very difficult time” more than two years after the outbreak of the war
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived at dawn by train to Kyivfor the first official visit by a senior US government official to Ukraine since Congress approved a $61 billion military and economic aid package that the Ukrainian government has been eagerly awaiting since the fall.
The visit, which was not publicly announced for security reasons, is intended to discredit the support of Washington in Kiev, at a time when Ukrainian forces are faced with relentless shelling and ground operations by the Russian army in the north-east of the country.
Among other things, he will discuss “how our additional aid” will contribute to “strengthening (Ukrainian) defenses” and how “they will regain the initiative” of movements on the battlefield, the same source said.
Ammunition for the artillery, medium-range ATACMS missiles and elements and ammunition for air defense systems have already started arriving to Ukrainian forces, he continued.
Mr Blinken will hold meetings with Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskywhom he will assure of Washington’s continued support, and will also deliver a speech focused on Ukraine’s future, according to the official.
Although NATO is not expected to move forward with war-torn Ukraine any time soon, its member states have begun signing bilateral security deals with Kiev. Talks to conclude an agreement of this nature between Ukraine and the US are in the “final” stage, according to the US official.
The Zelenskyi government says these agreements are “significant” and “strong” commitments by its allies, but do not replace its strategic goal of joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
Under Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty, an attack against any of its 32 member states is considered an attack against all.
Source :Skai
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