The surprise visit, reported by the Ukrainian news outlet European Truth and later confirmed by the ICTV television station, comes amid rising tensions in the region, just hours after a significant military attack by Russia.
The White House had kept Blinken’s travel plans under wraps until his arrival in the Ukrainian capital.
The visit is his third to the country since the onset of Russia's military invasion, with the first taking place in April 2022, closely following the liberation of the Kyiv region from Russian forces, and the second in September 2022.
The latest trip came on the heels of a major military operation by Russia involving drones and missile strikes targeting Kyiv and the Odesa region. Ukrainian authorities reported intercepting and neutralizing multiple cruise missiles and one ballistic missile over Kyiv.
While the specific details of Blinken’s agenda remained undisclosed, experts speculated that the visit would focus on strengthening diplomatic ties and discussing further military and humanitarian aid for Ukraine.
Blinken said in a tweet that he returned to Kyiv on Wednesday "to meet with our Ukrainian partners to discuss their ongoing counteroffensive, future assistance and reconstruction efforts, and above all, to reinforce the unwavering U.S. commitment to Ukraine."
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, launching the largest military campaign in Europe since World War II.
Wednesday is day 560 of Russia’s war on Ukraine.
(jh/gs)
Source: PAP
