Attributable to speaker Ned Price:
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III yesterday visited Kyiv, Ukraine, to demonstrate the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their fight against Russian aggression.
During their visit to Kyiv, Foreign Ministers Blinken and Austin met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov, Head of the Presidential Administration Andriy Yermak, Chief of Defense Valeriy Zaluzhny and Ambassador Oksana Markarova. They spoke of America’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian government and people, including through our significant assistance to Ukraine’s security, governance, economic and humanitarian needs. Minister Blinken also expressed his renewed support for Ukraine’s efforts to end Russian aggression through diplomacy and dialogue, noting that our continued support will strengthen Ukraine’s position on the battlefield and at the negotiating table.
During their meeting, Minister Blinken announced that President Biden would nominate Bridget Brink, currently US Ambassador to Slovakia, as the next US Ambassador to Ukraine. If confirmed, Ambassador Brink will lead our diplomatic mission to Ukraine with dedication and distinction. Previously, she served as senior adviser and deputy assistant secretary in the Office of European and Eurasian Affairs and as deputy chief of mission at the US embassies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and Tbilisi, Georgia. Her decades of experience predestine her for this moment in the history of Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Blinken underlined our intensive diplomatic engagement and also announced that US diplomats will return to Ukraine this week. The increased US presence demonstrates our support for Ukraine and is part of the US commitment to return our diplomats to our embassy in Kyiv as soon as possible. This action will reinforce the Department’s continued commitment to facilitating humanitarian relief efforts and the delivery of assistance to the Government of Ukraine, while providing enhanced assistance to U.S. citizens.
Minister Blinken informed President Zelenskyy that the United States intends to commit more than $713 million in foreign military financing (FMF) to Ukraine and 15 other allied and partner nations in Central and Eastern Europe and the Balkans region. This includes $650 million in funding made available through the Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act 2022. More than $322 million of this commitment is for Ukraine and will support the capabilities Ukraine needs while Russian forces focus on Donbass; This support will also help the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the transition to more advanced weapons and air defense systems. This aid will also help NATO allies replenish capacity that they have donated to Ukraine from their own stockpiles. In addition, Secretary Blinken informed President Zelenskyy that on April 24 the ministry notified Congress of a foreign military sale of up to $165 million in non-standard ammunition for Ukraine. Since Russia’s renewed invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, the United States has pledged about $3.7 billion in security assistance and has provided more than $4.3 billion since the Biden administration began.
As part of our continued support, Secretary of State Austin also informed the Government of Ukraine that the US Department of Defense will expand military training for Ukrainian service members in the region on certain deployed weapons systems. He highlighted US efforts to expedite shipments of these weapons, which are now arriving within days of the announcement. And he underscored that the United States, along with our allies and partners, will continue to coordinate shipments of additional heavy weapons, ammunition and spare parts from other nations. Secretary of State Austin also presented Ukrainian leaders with the agenda for this week’s Defense Consultative Meeting in Germany. The consultative meeting, convened by the United States, will examine the operational picture on the ground and consider Ukraine’s near-term defense needs, while providing an opportunity for participants to consider ways in which Ukraine’s longer-term national security interests can best be met.
Both Secretary of State Blinken and Secretary of State Austin shared their admiration for the everyday heroism displayed by the Ukrainian people – be it the soldier on the front lines, those caring for the wounded, sick or vulnerable, or the defiant grandmothers, who oppose Russian aggression. Noting that the courage of Ukrainians in defending freedom and democracy inspires us all, they underscored our confidence that an even stronger Ukraine will emerge from this conflict.
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