U.S. government announcements, Congressional records

Blinken Visits Ukraine Amid $60B Aid Package, Zelensky Requests Patriot Defenses for Kharkiv

May 14, 2024, 08:43 AM

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, to demonstrate strong U.S. support amid ongoing Russian aggression. Blinken's visit coincides with a new $60 billion U.S. military aid package aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defenses. During his visit, Blinken met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who requested two Patriot air defense batteries for Kharkiv to protect against Russian missile attacks. Blinken reassured Zelensky that U.S. military aid was already arriving and would make a significant impact on the battlefield. The visit comes as Ukrainian forces face renewed Russian advances in the northeastern Kharkiv region. Blinken arrived by train early in the morning on May 14 and will deliver a speech on Tuesday. The visit follows the approval of a long-delayed foreign assistance package by Congress.