2023-09-06 09:03:05
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Kiev on an unannounced visit Wednesday, hours following the first Russian missile attack on the Ukrainian capital in a week.
Blinken’s visit was aimed at taking stock of the counteroffensive launched by Ukrainian forces three months ago and highlighting Washington’s continued support for Kiev’s efforts to drive Kremlin forces out of the country following 19 months of war, amid concern among some. Western allies on the pace of progress, US officials said.
In addition, possible alternative routes to export the Ukrainian grain will be studied following Russia abandoned the Black Sea Grain Initiative and its frequent shelling of port facilities in the Odessa region, from where most of the grain moves, they added. Washington officials.
Alternatives might include asking freighters to stay close to shore to avoid international waters where they might be attacked by the Russian navy. Other possible land routes are also being examined.
Blinken’s visit is expected to include the announcement of new military aid of between $175 million and $200 million. Another big military aid package is expected by the end of the week.
Other issues will be addressed, including support for the war-ravaged Ukrainian economy following Blinken announced in London in June that $1.3 billion would be earmarked to help rebuild, focusing on modernizing the energy grid, which it was bombed by Russia last winter.
Overnight, Russian troops fired cruise missiles at Kiev in their first airstrike on the capital since Aug. 30, according to Serhii Popko, head of the Kiev region’s military administration.
Debris from a downed missile hit a company facility in kyiv and caused a fire that damaged its equipment. No casualties were reported.
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