The US State Department announced that Secretary Antony J. Blinken will visit Ukraine. The press released begins with “The United States and Ukraine: Strategic Partners” and states that the country stands firmly behind the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Secretary Blinken will visit Kyiv, Ukraine today, where he will meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba. According to the announcement, secretary Blinken will “US support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression.”The Secretary will also encourage progress on Ukraine’s reform agenda, which is key to securing Ukraine’s democratic institutions, economic prosperity, and Euro-Atlantic future.
The United States strongly supports Ukraine’s efforts to achieve its Euro-Atlantic aspirations and build a prosperous, secure, and democratic future for all Ukrainians.
The statement continues as;
The United States is deeply concerned about Russia’s ongoing aggressive actions and rhetoric targeting Ukraine, including the increased Russian troop presence in occupied Crimea and around Ukraine’s borders.
The United States continues to monitor the situation closely and to coordinate with Ukrainian officials, Allies, and partners.We commend Ukraine for its ongoing restraint and have made clear in our engagement with Moscow that Russia needs to refrain from escalatory actions.
Crimea is Ukraine. The United States does not, nor will we ever, recognize Russia’s purported annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.We call on Russia to return full control of the peninsula to Ukraine.
Donbas is Ukraine.Russia must uphold its commitments under the Minsk agreements and work in good faith to end the conflict in eastern Ukraine and restore Ukrainian sovereignty.
The word “strategic” has not taken place in the announcement.
