US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived today in an unannounced visit to Kiev, via a sleeper train from Poland.
His first and most important move was to assure President Zelensky that support is on its way, reports the BBC.
The US approved a $61bn package for military aid last month, with Zelensky describing the US support at the time as „vital” – particularly as Zelensky complained of significant deficits in the sphere of air defence.
Specifically, he asked for two Patriot air defence missiles in the Kharkiv region, echoing calls he made at the end of April when he said the systems for launching the missiles were „urgently” needed.
Each Patriot battery costs around $1bn, and each missile costs nearly $4m.
Accompanied by a numerous entourage, Blinken took a walk through Kiev’s Independence Square, visiting a veteran’s tribute. He was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink. They were surrounded by Blinken’s staff, US Diplomatic Security Service special agents and Ukrainian soldiers in balaclavas holding rifles.
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