The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has arrived in Kyvi Ukraine, met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, while announced his intent to notify Congress of over $2.2 billion in Foreign Military Financing (FMF) to bolster the security of Ukraine and its neighbors against Russia’s war.
In a statement released by the State Department Spokesman, Ned Price on Thursday, Blinken reaffirmed US strong commitment to Ukraine during the meeting with President Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
The US Secretary also visited the youngest victims of Russia’s brutal war at Children’s National Hospital and met with those rebuilding the devastated city of Irpin after Russia’s failed surge towards the capital in February and March of this year.
Speaking on the $2.2 billion military support to Ukraine, Blinken said the amount includes $1 billion, integral part of US’s sustained commitment to Ukraine to ensure it has capability to defend against Russia’s continued assault, assist in developing the capabilities Ukraine needs in the future.
According to him, “The remaining assistance for our Allies, partners is key component of Administration’s effort to build the capacity of European Allies and partners impacted by the situation in Ukraine to deter and defend against the increased threat from Russia.
“These funds will also help replace security assistance that our Allies and partners have provided to Ukraine, announcing another $675 million in systems and supplies for the Ukrainian military via the 20th Presidential Drawdown Authority package”, Blinken said.
It has been seven months since Russia’s President Putin’s February invasion of Ukraine, and the war’s terrible toll continues to mount.
Thousands of civilians killed or wounded, 13 million Ukrainian civilians forced to flee their homes, historic cities pounded to rubble, horrifying reports of ongoing atrocities, nuclear power stations put at risk, food shortages, skyrocketing food prices around the world.
“Ukraine’s extraordinary front-line defenders continue to courageously fight for their country’s freedom, and United States President Biden has been clear, we will support the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes”, Blinken said.
He stated that United States is providing security assistance alongside its allies and partners from more than 50 countries to support Ukraine’s defense. “The capabilities we are delivering are carefully calibrated to make the most difference on the battlefield”.
The Secretary of State will travel to Brussels to meet NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg and the North Atlantic Council, also provide a readout of his trip to Ukraine and discuss NATO Allies’ support for Ukraine and the Alliance’s long-term plans to deter Russia’s aggression.
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