Blinken announces additional $1bn in assistance for Ukraine

US Secretary of State makes unannounced trip to Kyiv as show of support for fight against Russia

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken meet in Kyiv on Wednesday. Reuters

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled another $1 billion in military and civilian aid for Ukraine on Wednesday as he met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during an unannounced visit to Kyiv.

More than $665 million will be directed towards Ukraine's military and civilian security agencies, including High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, mortars, ammunition, 120mm depleted uranium founds for Abrams tanks, as well as a host of other equipment. The funds will also be used to clear minefields and clear up unexploded bombs.

The Secretary of State's visit comes after western officials warned that Ukraine's summertime counter-offensive against Russia has been going “slower than anticipated”. Still, Mr Blinken said “important progress” had been made that was “very encouraging”.

“The ongoing counter-offence progress has accelerated in the past few weeks,” Mr Blinken told reporters. “This new assistance will help sustain it and build further momentum.”

In total, the US has committed more than $43 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the February 2022 invasion.

His comments came hours after officials said a Russian artillery strike on a market in eastern Ukraine killed more than a dozen people in one of the deadliest strikes in weeks.

“President [Joe] Biden asked me to come to reaffirm strongly our support, to ensure that we are maximising the efforts that we're making,” Mr Blinken told Mr Zelenskyy.

Ukraine has been mired in a months-long counter-offensive to try to retake parts of the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions in the south-eastern part of the country.

Mr Zelenskyy recently returned from the front lines, where he met troops in an effort to boost morale.

The Ukrainian leader replaced his defence minister earlier this week, citing a need for “new approaches”.

During their meeting, he thanked Mr Blinken for America's unwavering support.

“First of all, it helps us on the battlefield, because United States really are the leaders of supporting on the battlefield,” he said.

Mr Blinken arrived in Kyiv hours after Russia launched its first missile attack in a week against the Ukrainian capital.

After arriving in Kyiv, Mr Blinken laid a wreath at the city's Berkovetske cemetery to commemorate members of the Ukrainian armed forces who died defending the country.

The Secretary of State's trip aims to signal US support for Kyiv’s efforts to drive out Moscow's forces after 19 months of war amid concern from some western allies about the speed of progress.

Antony Blinken working while travelling by train to Kyiv. AP

“We want to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, not only to succeed in the counter-offensive but has what it needs for the long-term, to make sure that it has a strong deterrent,” Mr Blinken said.

“We’re also determined to continue to work with our partners as they build and rebuild a strong economy, strong democracy.”

Later on a message posted on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “Returned to Kyiv today to meet our Ukrainian partners to discuss their ongoing counter-offensive, future assistance and reconstruction efforts, and above all, to reinforce the unwavering US commitment to Ukraine.”

Meanwhile, US officials said possible alternative export routes for Ukrainian grain will also be discussed following Russia’s exit from the Black Sea grain deal and its frequent bombardment of port facilities in the Odesa region, from where most grain is transported abroad.

Alternatives may include ships hugging coastlines to keep out of international waters where they could be targeted by Russia’s navy. Other possible overland routes are also being examined.

While Mr Blinken has made four trips to Ukraine since the war began, this visit marks the first time he has spent the night in the capital since he visited Kyiv in January 2022, before the invasion.

US officials said Mr Blinken’s decision to stay overnight in Kyiv is intended to send a symbolic signal of American support for Ukraine as the war drags on.

Smoke rises above Kyiv after a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian capital. Reuters