Blinken Announces Over $700 Million in Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine

Kyiv, The Gulf Observer: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced more than $700 million in humanitarian aid for Ukraine on Wednesday during his visit to Kyiv. The aid is aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s resilience as it continues to confront Russia’s ongoing war of aggression.

According to a State Department press release, the package includes $325 million dedicated to supporting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, around $290 million in humanitarian assistance, and over $103 million to address the threat posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance left behind by Russian forces.

While in Kyiv, Blinken met with U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Ukraine. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller highlighted that Blinken reiterated the U.S. “enduring support” for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

The leaders discussed upcoming diplomatic engagements, including the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and emphasized the global need to back Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in line with the UN Charter.

In a post on the social platform X, President Zelensky noted the importance of the talks, describing the conversation with Blinken and Lammy as “substantive and long.” Zelensky underscored the critical issues discussed, including long-range weapons, the supply of combat brigades, and strategies to achieve a just peace.

Blinken’s announcement came shortly after a letter from top House Republicans urged President Joe Biden to reconsider the U.S. policy that currently restricts Ukraine from using American-made weapons to launch strikes deep into Russian territory.