Blinken in Kyiv: "Russia's War Goals Failed, Ukraine Succeeds"

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin visited Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, on the 24th (local time) to discuss additional support measures with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This marks the first time a top U.S. government official has visited Ukraine since Russia's invasion.

On the morning of the 25th in Poland, Secretary Blinken told reporters, "Ukraine's sovereignty and independence will outlast Vladimir Putin's regime."

He announced that "Russia has failed to achieve its war objectives, and Ukraine is succeeding," and pledged $322 million (approximately 400 billion KRW) in military aid loans to Ukraine.

Secretary Blinken also revealed that President Joe Biden plans to soon nominate and announce Bridget Brink, currently the U.S. ambassador to Slovakia, as the new U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.

Additionally, he stated that U.S. diplomats who had withdrawn to Poland just before the Russian invasion will begin returning this week. The U.S. embassy in Ukraine, located in western Lviv, is expected to resume operations within two weeks.

Like European leaders who visited Kyiv after the war, Secretaries Blinken and Austin entered Ukraine by train from Poland. Due to concerns over missile strikes, Ukrainian airspace is effectively closed to aircraft.

Russia recently declared a "second phase operation," concentrating military forces in the eastern Donbas region and along the southern coastline. This visit by top U.S. officials is interpreted as a strong warning message to Russia by directly visiting Ukraine.

Secretary Blinken said, "This was an opportunity to directly show our strong and sustained support for Ukraine to the Ukrainian government and people," adding, "Meeting face-to-face and having detailed conversations is very important."

He continued, "Russia continues to commit brutal acts in some parts of Ukraine, but Ukrainians are responding strongly," and said, "I saw Ukrainian citizens on the streets of Kyiv, which is evidence that Ukraine has won in Kyiv." He also conveyed that "President Zelensky expressed gratitude for President Biden's leadership and the support of the U.S. government."

The White House and U.S. government initially did not clearly confirm the two secretaries' visit to Ukraine. However, the visit was revealed in advance when President Zelensky unexpectedly announced their schedule on the 23rd.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.