Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a press conference after a meeting with the two, Ukraine’s prime minister and foreign minister and Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland earlier in the day.
While acknowledging that it was too early to discuss the matter in detail, Zelensky said that “speaking of the military support and financial support and technical assistance coming from the U.S. for Ukraine, yes, it is happening.”
“It is unfolding,” he added, and expressed gratitude to both houses of the U.S. Congress and to Democrats and Republics alike for boosting military aid to his nation. Earlier this year the U.S. provided $125 million in defense assistance to Kiev, and currently the U.S. Senate is working on a bill that provides an additional $300 million.
Zelensky also confirmed that he has extended invitations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to visit Ukraine this year on the 30th anniversary of its independence. Blinken thanked him for the invitation and said he’d relay it to Biden when he returns to Washington. The president, he was sure, would welcome the chance to return to a nation “where he spent much time in the past.”
The Ukrainian head of state also said he and the U.S. secretary of state had discussed security matters in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, and “and we can see some joint action there.” In both cases he’s alluding to rivalry with Russia; in the case of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait that connects it to the Black Sea, the control of the strait has been a bone of contention between Kiev and Moscow for years, with an open clash between the two nations occurring there in 2018.
Blinken offered unambiguous confirmation of the Ukrainian position and an equally unqualified pledge of support in these blunt words:
“Let me just say also that we spent some time talking about the threat that Russia continues to pose to Ukraine. We’ve been watching this very, very closely and very, very carefully. We’re proud to have supported Ukraine in the face of years of Russian aggression and pressure, from the invasion of Crimea to hostilities in the Donbas. And of course, Ukraine was tested again just weeks ago this spring as Russia pushed more forces to Ukraine’s border than at any time since 2014 when it invaded. And I can tell you, Mr. President, that we stand strongly with you. Partners do as well. I heard the same thing when I was at NATO a couple of weeks ago. And we look to Russia to cease reckless and aggressive actions.”
Blinken also said Washington focused on the Ukraine-Russia conflict with allies and partners, and that the above indictment of Russian actions had been the “subject of extensive discussion at the most recent NATO meetings, and as well at the meetings of the G7 just in the last two days.”
There has also been talk in the Ukrainian press of Zelensky attending the NATO summit in Brussels in June. Zelensky at NATO headquarters and Biden in Ukraine would send the clearest message of confrontation to Russia that any actions could.
Rick Rozoff is a contributing editor at Antiwar.com. He has been involved in anti-war and anti-interventionist work in various capacities for forty years. He lives in Chicago, Illinois. He is the manager of Stop NATO. This originally appeared at Anti-Bellum.
So, my tax dollars are increasingly going to Ukraine too, rather than fixing the roads in the city I live in?
TBH i just can`t understand why American Citizens put up with the political BS they are feed on a daily basis , at least here in the UK politicians are held to account .
“Zelensky also confirmed that he has extended invitations to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to visit Ukraine this year on the 30th anniversary of its independence.”
Only one at a time. Should have invited them while your good citizens were marching to celebrate the Nazi SS soldiers. Or wait until Russia is on the verge of making you a crater.
http://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/
Kazan is in, Novosibirsk is Next Year. Blog by Andrei Martyanov.
Biden is tasked with leading the retreat in Afghanistan so he’s going to go ‘all in’ on Ukraine against Russia?
What could possible go wrong?
Perhaps when he has a stroke and is deposed, Harris can arrest all the Russian soldiers after air dropping a few tons of pot down on the troops.
I’m expecting a couple of incidents that will make Alzheimer’s obvious and undeniable, followed by a period of crisis during which they deny it anyway, then a crunch when they just can’t pretend anymore but won’t act anyway. It will be the first time for the 25th Amendment disability clause.
I expect that somehow during this drawn out fiasco, Harris will humiliate herself in some sort of Gen Haig style moment (remember “I’m in control here”) of ego-serving foolishness. Because she is that way and won’t be able to stop herself. It is why she still could not get any real support even when in debate she humiliated Biden. That’s her.
Just send Hunter Biden. He knows his way around the corrupt elite of Ukraine.
Right now, Victoria Nuland is back in Ukraine, doing what she does there.
I would not be surprised if the Russians try to kill her. That is what Biden says of Putin anyway.
If push comes to shove Russia will steam roll the Ukraine and anyone who gets in the way , Gerogia flexed it`s muscles until Russia slapped it down and NATO was no where to be found , just because NATO tells you it will do something it dosen`t mean it actually will , when it comes to a country that can actually defend it`s self NATO is all red shoes and no nickers.