Reuters: Blinken to Announce New $1bn Aid Package for Ukraine in Kyiv

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is likely to announce a new aid package for Ukraine worth more than $1bn during his two-day visit to Kyiv, Reuters reported, citing a senior Department of State official. The agency’s interlocutor said that Mr. Blinken would meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, other senior officials and representatives of civil society during his visit to Kyiv. The official anonymously told Reuters that the Secretary of State’s visit is linked to Washington’s intention to discuss with Kyiv the progress of the counteroffensive, to learn about needs on the battlefield, as well as measures to be taken to strengthen Ukraine’s energy security ahead of winter. “I think the most important thing is to get a real assessment from the Ukrainians. We want to see and hear how they intend to move forward in the coming weeks,” the agency’s interlocutor claimed. According to the Ukrainian mass media, Mr. Blinken has arrived in Kyiv today, 6 September. The visit was not announced earlier. Last time Antony Blinken visited Ukraine in September 2022. In August, the Secretary of State asked the US Congress to approve President Joe Biden’s request for another $24bn aid package for Ukraine. Of this amount, $13.1bn should be spent on weapons.