Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrived in Kiev on Tuesday morning for a visit intended to reaffirm American support for Ukraine, but one that may be overshadowed by Russia’s military successes in the country’s northeast.
The unannounced overnight train trip from eastern Poland was Mr. Blinken’s fourth to Kiev since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It comes about three weeks after President Biden signed a $60 billion aid package for Ukraine that Congress passed it after months of infighting among Republicans in the House of Representatives.
Mr. Blinken plans to give a speech in Kiev on Tuesday celebrating the influx of American aid and portraying Russia’s failed attempt to take control of the country as a strategic success for Ukraine, a senior U.S. official said.
Mr. Blinken will also emphasize that Ukraine must continue to make progress on democratic governance and anti-corruption reforms if it wants to integrate with the West, the official said.
Mr Biden and Mr Blinken had warned for months that Congress’ delay in approving badly needed US weapons would leave the Ukrainian military vulnerable on an eastern front that has been deadlocked for months. The U.S. official declined to draw a direct link between the delayed aid and Russia’s gains near the city of Kharkiv. But the official said it was clear that the funding gap had weakened Ukraine, whose military was lacking ammunition and other critical equipment.
The official said the Ukrainians had held their positions and demanded a tribute from the Russians and that they would likely make gains if U.S. aid flowed into the country.
Mr. Blinken plans to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other top officials. A second senior U.S. official declined to say whether Russia had been informed in advance of Mr. Blinken’s visit. Russian forces have frequently attacked Kiev with missiles and drones.
Mr. Blinken is the first senior Biden official to visit Ukraine since Congress passed the aid package. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Mr. Zelensky in Kiev in late March before the aid was passed.
At a Financial Times event this month, Mr. Sullivan said he expects some short-term gains from Russia but that new U.S. aid will allow Ukraine to “hold the line” and eventually begin retaking territory.
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2024-05-14 02:31:27
www.nytimes.com
