US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday on a visit aimed at boosting the morale of Ukrainians as their troops battle a large-scale Russian offensive near Kharkiv, Ukrainian media reported.
The visit to Kyiv is the first by a senior US official since Congress approved $61 billion in military aid to Ukraine in April.
Blinken came to Ukraine to send a strong message of support to Ukrainians at a “difficult moment” for the country, a senior US official told reporters as Blinken travelled by train from Poland to Kyiv.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said on Monday that Washington was trying to accelerate the “pace of arms deliveries” to Ukraine to help it overcome its disadvantage.
Blinken’s mission on this trip is to talk about how additional US assistance will help bolster Ukraine’s defence capabilities, the official added, and to discuss other steps the US is taking to strengthen Ukraine’s security.
His visit comes amid media reports that Russian troops are continuing their offensive in Kharkiv Region.
