LONDON — Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday morning as Ukrainian leaders pressed for U.S. permission to use American-made long-range weapons against targets inside Russia.
America’s top diplomat was accompanied by British Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The pair are scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and “senior Ukrainian government officials,” according to a State Department statement.
Blinken will “discuss continued support for Ukraine‘s defense against Russia’s aggression and how to ensure Ukraine can thrive militarily, economically, and democratically in the long term,” it added.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrive at Kyiv train station Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Leon Neal/AP
Restrictions on Ukraine’s use of American long-range weapons is one of the most pressing issues for Blinken during the visit.
Kyiv has long been advocating for U.S. permission to strike military targets within Russian borders, including airfields that are key to Moscow’s long-range missile campaign against Ukrainian cities.
“We continue to persuade our partners at all levels about long-range capabilities,” Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Sunday.
“Russia can avoid seeking peace only as much as the world avoids making strong decisions aimed at Russia’s defeat. Long-range capabilities are one of those key, strategic decisions.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary David Lammy are greeted as they arrive at the train station in Kyiv, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists at a Wednesday briefing that he expects the U.S. to give its permission.
“Most likely, of course, all these decisions have already been made,” he said, as quoted by the state-run Tass agency.
Blinken is scheduled to hold a press conference at 12 p.m. ET.
ABC News’ Tanya Stukalova and Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Thursday for a high-stakes visit as Ukraine seeks approval for a long-range missile strike against Russian forces. The visit comes at a critical time in the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with tensions escalating in recent weeks.
The Ukrainian government has been pushing for approval from the United States to conduct a long-range missile strike against Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. The strike would target key military installations and infrastructure, in an effort to push back against Russian aggression and protect Ukrainian sovereignty.
Blinken’s visit to Kyiv is seen as a crucial opportunity for the Ukrainian government to make its case for the missile strike. The U.S. has been a key ally of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, providing military and financial support to help bolster the country’s defenses.
During his visit, Blinken is expected to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other top officials to discuss the situation on the ground and assess the potential impact of a long-range missile strike. The U.S. has been supportive of Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself against Russian aggression, but has also urged caution in escalating the conflict further.
The decision to approve a long-range missile strike is a complex and delicate one, with potential implications for the broader conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While such a strike could potentially deal a significant blow to Russian forces, it also carries the risk of further escalating the conflict and drawing other countries into the fray.
As Blinken meets with Ukrainian officials and assesses the situation on the ground, the world will be watching closely to see how the U.S. responds to Ukraine’s request for approval of a long-range missile strike. The outcome of this visit could have far-reaching implications for the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and the broader geopolitical landscape in Eastern Europe.
