Ukraine thanks the US for unprecedented help

Zelensky’s office issued the statement after a meeting in Kiev between the Ukrainian leader and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.

“I thank President Joe Biden as well as on behalf of the entire Ukrainian people for his leadership in supporting Ukraine, for his clear personal stand. Thank you to all the American people, as well as the National Congress for bicameral and bipartisan support. We see it. We feel it,” the statement said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke after their meeting on April 25. Photo: AP

According to the statement, Zelensky discussed strengthening US sanctions against Russia.

According to CNN, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spent about three hours, more than double the expected time, discussing with the Ukrainian president and his senior team in the capital Kiev.

This is the first official visit by a senior US official to Ukraine since Russia launched a military operation two months ago. Defense Secretary Austin and Secretary of State Blinken have committed additional military aid to Ukraine, including advanced weapons.

As a result of the meeting, the US pledged to provide an additional 713 million USD to Ukraine and 15 allied and partner countries, of which 322 million USD was reserved for Kiev.

The addition brings the total amount of US military assistance to Ukraine to $3.7 billion since the start of Russia’s military campaign, US officials said.

President Zelensky (right) shakes hands with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 24. Photo: Reuters

Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Austin said Ukraine’s needs are changing as the nature of the war has evolved, in part because the focus of Russia’s military campaign has shifted to eastern Ukraine.

Mr. Austin told reporters during a press conference at an undisclosed location near the Polish-Ukrainian border after high-level talks on April 25: “Ukraine is in need of long-range firepower. We have heard them express their need for tanks. We are doing everything we can to meet their needs, effective artillery and weapons at this stage of the war.”

Mr. Austin said there are indications that many other countries will supply more ammunition and artillery to Ukraine. “So we’re going to try as hard as we can, as quickly as we can to help them get what they need,” Austin said.