US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken arrived in Kiev on Sunday for a historic visit. Meanwhile, in the presence of two influential US ministers, Russian forces have intensified their attacks on Ukraine. At the same time, Russia has warned the United States and Ukraine’s European allies not to supply more weapons to Ukraine. . . . . . . . . .
Although the United States has not sent troops to Ukraine or NATO, Washington and its European allies have sent weapons such as drones, heavy artillery, anti-aircraft stringers, and anti-tank javelin missiles.
According to a Reuters report, the US Secretary of Defense and Foreign Minister met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev. The two ministers pledged another 322 million in military aid to Ukraine’s president. “We believe we will win. If they (Ukraine) get the right weapons and support, they will win,” he told reporters after the meeting.
“We want to see Russia become so weak that it can no longer do what it did by invading Ukraine,” Austin said.
Earlier, US President Joe Biden announced another 600 million in military aid to Ukraine.
Moscow is concerned about the visit of two influential US ministers to Kiev. Russia’s ambassador to the United States, Anthony Antonov, said such weapons were being sent to weaken Russia. But it (arms supply) is bypassing the peace talks and continuing the war. Antonov told Russia’s state-run TV channel that the Americans were adding fuel to the fire. He added: “All I can see is that there is an attempt to worsen the situation and create anxiety. So that there is more damage. ‘
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has once again argued for a military operation in Ukraine. He said a “special military operation” in Ukraine was urgent because the United States was using Ukraine to intimidate Russia.
Ceasefire in Mariupol
A group of Ukrainian naval personnel and hundreds of civilians are trapped in the Azvastal steel plant in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol. Ukraine says many of those trapped are injured. In addition, there are women and children among the civilians, who survive on very little and almost no food. Finally, on Monday, the Russian Defense Ministry announced a ceasefire in the vicinity of the steel plant. So that the trapped civilians get a chance to get out.
The ceasefire is expected to take effect at 2pm Moscow time yesterday, the AFP news agency reported. At this time civilians can go wherever they want.
