Blinken in Ukraine as US Delivers $61 Billion Aid Amid Kharkiv Battles
By Boniface Ihiasota, USA
United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has arrived in Ukraine as the country received crucial new weaponry from a recently approved American aid package, Excel Magazine International can report.
The visit coincides with intense combat near Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, where Ukrainian forces are contending with a major Russian offensive.
Secretary Blinken, who traveled overnight by sleeper train, is meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other top officials at the presidential headquarters in Kyiv.
Excel Magazine International learnt their discussions are crucial as the U.S. has just begun delivery of a $61 billion aid package, including sophisticated air defense systems, artillery, and long-range precision guided missiles, aimed at bolstering Ukrainian defenses.
During a public statement at the ornate Bankova meeting room, President Zelensky expressed his gratitude for the U.S. support, which he described as essential during this “tough period” for Ukrainian forces, particularly in the east.
He emphasized the urgency of deploying these new resources, specifically air defenses, to counter the threats at the front lines.
Secretary Blinken lauded Ukraine’s resilience and Zelensky’s leadership, affirming that U.S. aid would significantly impact the ongoing conflict.
He remarked that a strong, free Ukraine stands as a formidable challenge to Russian aggression under President Vladimir Putin.
The delivery of American-funded weapons begins as the UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps expressed concerns in a BBC interview that the international community had previously underestimated Ukraine’s military needs.
