Topline
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday in Kyiv, Ukraine’s president announced at a news conference, making them the two highest-ranking U.S. officials to visit Ukraine’s capital since the Russian invasion began.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) and Secretary of State Antony Blinken pose during their … [+]
Key Facts
The announcement comes after reports the Biden administration was looking to send a high-ranking delegation to Kyiv.
Russian forces retreated from northern Ukraine earlier this month, abandoning a campaign aimed at seizing the Ukrainian capital, but intermittent blasts have still been reported around Kyiv.
The State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes seeking details about the trip, while a Pentagon spokeswoman said the Defense Department had “nothing” to provide.
Key Background
The announcement comes as many prominent officials from around the world choose to venture into Kyiv for meetings with Ukraine’s president. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson traveled there earlier this month in what he called “a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian people,” while two Republican members of Congress—Sen. Steve Daines (Mont.) and Rep. Victoria Spartz (Ind.)—became the first U.S. officials on April 14 to visit Ukraine’s capital since the invasion started.
What To Watch For
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres will hold separate meetings next week with Zelensky in Kyiv and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Tangent
President Joe Biden on Thursday announced another $1.3 billion in aid to Ukraine through $800 million in military spending and $500 million in emergency economic assistance. The U.S. has given Ukraine about $3.4 billion in aid since the Russian invasion started on February 24, mostly through providing Ukrainian forces weapons. Helicopters, Javelin anti-tank missiles and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles are among the arms the U.S. has given Ukraine.
Further Reading
Biden Announces Another $1.3 Billion In Aid To Ukraine (Forbes)
Biden Announces $800 Million In New Assistance—Mostly Weapons—For Ukraine (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2022/04/23/zelensky-announces-kyiv-meeting-with-secretary-of-state-blinken-defense-secretary-austin/