Blinken: US to support Ukraine as long as it takes to restore sovereignty

08.09.2022 23:10

Ukrinform

The U.S. support for Ukraine and the pressure on Russia prove their effectiveness and will not stop until the aggression against Ukraine stops.

"It's been more than six months since Russia started its aggression. Your counterattack is now underway and it is effective. And this is mainly thanks to the incredible courage and resilience of Ukrainians. We see it on the battlefield every day. We are extremely happy to be able to support your efforts, and we will continue to do so," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

In particular, Blinken announced the allocation of additional support to Ukraine – another $675 million in equipment, artillery shells, and other equipment. According to the U.S. Secretary of State, this is the twentieth package of aid from US reserves, and the total amount of support has already reached $13.5 billion. He also noted that the State Department informed the US Congress of its intentions to provide another $1 billion in foreign military financing for longer-term support, and that he had discussed long-term support with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba.

"Moscow is paying an extremely high price for this aggression. I think it is important to emphasize this, because we see the price Russia is already paying – an extremely high price. And it will keep growing," he said.

In this context, Blinken added that Russia's GDP was falling and more than 1,000 foreign companies were leaving Russia, the most talented Russians were leaving Russia, the imports were falling.

According to the U.S. Secretary of State, the Russian Federation cannot replace weapons and produce goods for its own people, cannot ensure exports and cannot borrow funds under sovereign debt.

"Moscow asks North Korea and Iran for military support because we are systematically closing their access to imports. And we will continue to exert this pressure until the aggression against Ukraine stops, and Ukraine restores its sovereignty," Blinken said.

As reported, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Thursday on an unannounced visit.

In addition, on Thursday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, opening the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group at the Ramstein Air Base, said that the US would provide Ukraine with an additional security assistance package worth $675 million.