US Secretary of State visits Kyiv

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken came to Kyiv.

This information was confirmed by the Ukrainian president's press secretary Serhii Nikiforov.

As he noted, Blinken plans to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

UP sources also indicate that the US Secretary of State may visit settlements near Kyiv.

Reuters also reports that Blinken visits Ukraine to offer new US military aid and pledge $2 billion in fresh security assistance, including the support the Biden administration hopes will strengthen a Ukrainian counteroffensive aimed at pushing back russian forces in the south and east.

Blinken met Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, saw US diplomats, and visited a children's hospital, where he met youngsters injured in Russian bombardments.

A State Department official said Blinken would use the trip to announce a $2 billion foreign military financing package, approximately $1 billion of which would be allocated to Ukraine.

The money is intended to defend sovereignty, modernize security forces, enhance partnerships with the transatlantic military alliance NATO, and strengthen the capacity "to counter Russian influence and aggression," the official said by email.

The aid comes from US grants and loans that enable countries to purchase weapons and defense equipment made in the United States. It requires US Congress to be notified.

We will remind you that on September 8, US President Joe Biden approved a new package of US aid to Ukraine for about 675 million dollars.

The new package includes:

• more high-precision GMLRS rounds for HIMARS,
• 105-mm howitzers,
• artillery ammunition,
• HARM anti-radar missiles,
• humvee cars,
• anti-tank weapons,
• small arms and others.

According to the media, the Pentagon is preparing a detailed analysis and developing a plan to support the Ukrainian army in the medium and long term, including after the end of the war with Russia.

Also, on September 8, US Defense Minister Lloyd Austin said at a Rammstein-style meeting in Germany that the military support of Ukraine by the allies is bearing fruit in the confrontation with russia.

"russian troops continue to brutally bombard Ukrainian cities and civilians with rocket and artillery fire.

But Ukrainian forces began their counteroffensive in the south. They integrate the capabilities that we have all provided to fight and reclaim sovereign territories," Austin said.

Read Rubryka's timeline of war: current news on Ukraine's defense against russia's aggression.