US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will visit the Ukrainian capital Kyiv later today, accompanied by US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
The two are expected to meet with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky to discuss the country’s request for more weapons to repel the Russian invasion.
Mr Zelensky announced the visit on Saturday, saying: “I believe we will be able to get agreements from the United States or part of this armaments package of Ukraine that we agreed on earlier.
“In addition, we have strategic issues on security guarantees, which it is time to discuss in detail, because the United States will be one of those leaders of security countries for our country.
“Once we have (more weapons), if there are enough, believe me, we will immediately regain this or that territory that is temporarily occupied.”
Image: The situation in Ukraine on the 58th day of the war (Friday, April 22)
Key developments:
• Ukraine says it has destroyed a Russian command post in the occupied city of Kherson, killing two generals and seriously injuring a third. Russia has not commented on this • The Russian siege of the southern city of Mariupol continues, with about 2,000 Ukrainian soldiers and civilians hiding in huge steel mines. Attempts to evacuate civilians failed on Saturday • Russia says it has taken control of several villages in the Eastern Donbass region and destroyed 11 Ukrainian military targets overnight • In Donetsk and Luhansk, Ukrainian forces say they have repulsed 12 Russian attacks on Saturday, destroying four tanks, 15 units of armored vehicles and five artillery systems
The White House did not confirm Mr Blinkon and Mr Austin’s travel plans, and the State Department and the Pentagon declined to comment.
This comes as the war in Ukraine enters its third month with no end in sight, many thousands have died, millions have become refugees and cities have been reduced to rubble.
Image: This building was damaged after a rocket attack in Odessa on Saturday. Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Odessa region
Eight people were killed in a rocket attack on Odessa
Meanwhile, a three-month-old girl is among eight people killed after Russia fired cruise missiles at the Black Sea port city of Odessa, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Speaking about the victims, Zelenski said: “The war started when this baby was one month old. Can you imagine what is happening?
“They’re just hooks … I have no other word for it – just with ******.”
The baby’s mother and grandmother were also killed and 18 people were injured.
Read more: How the Azovstal steel plant became the last post in the fierce battle for Mariupol What are Russia’s plans for the “second phase” of the war – and why do they include Moldova?
In addition, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson spoke with Mr. Zelensky on Saturday and confirmed that Britain will supply new weapons in support of Ukraine.
A reading of the call, published by № 10, reads: “The Prime Minister confirmed that the United Kingdom is providing more defensive military assistance, including protected vehicles, drones and anti-tank weapons.
Add Comment