KIEV (dpa-AFX) – During his visit to Ukraine, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met his colleague Dmytro Kuleba in the capital Kiev for talks. “We have seen good progress on the counter-offensive,” said Blinken, according to a statement in the welcome message. The aim of his trip is to ensure that Kiev has everything it needs for the ongoing offensive. “In the long term” the goal is to strengthen Ukraine’s deterrence and defense capabilities. A renewed Russian attack like 18 months ago should be prevented.
In return, Kuleba emphasized good relations with the main ally. Together the ministers honored fallen Ukrainian soldiers at a military cemetery on the outskirts of Kiev.
According to US information, a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also planned. Blinken is also expected to announce new US aid to Ukraine during his visit, US media reported unanimously. There was initially no official confirmation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that the aid would not affect the outcome of the “special military operation”.
Ukraine has been repelling a Russian invasion for over 18 months with massive Western support. A good three months ago, the Ukrainian army launched a counter-offensive./ast/DP/ngu