Russia-Ukraine war live: Blinken visits Kyiv as Ukrainians struggle amid intense Russian attacks | Ukraine
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Key events
Weapons package will matter, says Blinken in Ukraine, as Zelensky stresses air defense needs
In Kyiv, the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkensaid a new weapons package was already arriving and more were coming, Reuters reported.
“We also know that in the near future help is already on the way, some of it has already arrived and more will arrive,” Blinken said. “And that will make a real difference against continued Russian aggression on the battlefield.”
Vladimir Zelenskymeanwhile told Blinken that air defense was Ukraine’s biggest deficit and that two air defense batteries were now needed for Kharkov.
A Ukrainian drone attack derailed a freight train and caused a diesel tank fire in the Volgograd region, Reuters reported, citing Russian media.
Four people were injured in Kharkiv
This was announced on the social network by the governor of the Kharkiv region, Oleg Sinegubov post this morning four people were wounded by Russian shelling.
Anthony Blinken arriving in Kyiv this morning
Here are the latest pictures from Ukraine, as US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkenarrived for a visit.
“Today I returned to Kyiv to demonstrate our unwavering support for Ukraine while defending their freedom against Russian aggression,” Blinken said.
Today I returned to Kyiv to demonstrate our unwavering support for Ukraine as it defends its freedom against Russian aggression. pic.twitter.com/7ruIw6GgVd
— Secretary Anthony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 14, 2024
Summary of the opening
Good morning, welcome to the blog. The main news this morning is the unannounced visit to Kiev of the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken.
As the Associated Press reports, the mission aims to reassure Ukraine that it has American support as it struggles to defend itself from increasingly intense Russian attacks.
The visit comes less than a month after congressional approval a long-delayed foreign aid package that set aside $60 billion in aid for Ukraine.
Artillery, anti-aircraft interceptors and long-range ballistic missiles have already been delivered, some of them already on the front lines, said a senior US official traveling with the secretary on an overnight train from Poland.
Blinken will”sent a strong signal of confidence” of Ukrainian leaders and civil society figures he will meet during his two-day visit, said the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.
In a statement released after BlinkenUpon arrival, the State Department said he would meet with the president Vladimir Zelensky and other senior Ukrainian officials “to discuss battlefield updates, the impact of new U.S. security and economic assistance, long-term security and other commitments, and ongoing work to strengthen Ukraine’s economic recovery.”
The delay in US aid, especially as Israel’s war with Hamas began to worry senior administration officials, has caused deep concern in Kiev and Europe. Blinken, for example, has visited the Middle East seven times since the Gaza conflict began in October. His last trip to Kiev was in September.
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