Foreign Minister Antony Blinken’s surprise meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy – reported AP Tonight – came the same day as the only Ukrainian-born member of Congress called on the US to resume diplomatic services in the country.
Why it matters: Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s trip was fraught with risk – but just kind MP Victoria Spartz (R-Ind.), the US said.
- “In any job, whether it’s a political job or a diplomatic job, you take some risk – you have to be smart – but that’s also part of your job: doing your duty.” she continued CNN’s State of the Union.
- “A lot of people, a lot of countries are actually bringing [diplomats] back to Kyiv, but the least we can actually do is maybe take it to Lviv.”
- “If you’re not on site, it’s very difficult to get your job done. So I think it’s important and also sends a strong message to the Ukrainian people,” Spartz said.
Blinken and Austin are the highest-ranking US officials to have met with Ukraine’s leader since the war began on February 24.
- The Foreign Minister briefly set foot on Ukrainian soil during a visit to Poland in March. He then met with the country’s foreign minister.
Between the lines: Blinken’s trip to Europe — under the guise of such secrecy that colleagues in the administration refused to discuss it prior to his arrival — begins a big week for him.
- An administration source said the secretary will testify on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
- Axios has learned that he is appearing before the Foreign Relations Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives, among others.
- He will testify before the Senate committee on Tuesday and appear again before the House committee on Thursday, committee aides confirmed to Axios.
The committee members are excited Publicly ask Blinken about the government’s response to Ukraine, as well as their decisions regarding the timing and amount of military aid and specific weapons the US sent to Ukraine.
The scenery: The US closed its embassy in Ukraine in mid-February as Russia built up its forces along the border.
- Many employees went west to Lviv in Ukraine and then to Poland.
- Politico reported last week that members of Congress and former diplomats are among those desperate for their return.
The newest: Spartz (R-Ind.) spoke to CNN from Kyiv, where she was visiting her grandmother over the Orthodox Easter holiday.
- Igor Zhovka, an adviser to Zelenskyy, used an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press to advocate for more guns.
- “We also need anti-missile systems and anti-aircraft systems, because Ukrainian cities are bombed by cruise missiles every day and at night,” Zhovka said.
The President announced this last Thursday The US will send another $800 million in military aid to Ukraine, including heavy artillery.
- That will bring total US military aid since the Russian invasion to about $3.4 billion.
- Deputy US National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer, who appeared separately on Meet the Press, said: “We’ve been announcing results practically every day — which is a fancy word for things we’re providing Ukrainians with to help them fight.” to allow. and if not every day, then every week.”
- “We’ll have more to say about that in the coming week.”