Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the United States for its "
help in these difficult times
", receiving US Secretary Antony Blinken in Kiev amid fears of a Russian invasion.
Read alsoUkraine: Blinken calls on Putin to choose a “peaceful path”
"
I would like to thank you
" for "
the support, for the military aid to Ukraine and for the increase in this aid (...) especially in these difficult times
", declared Volodymyr Zelensky.
“
We have been devoting record funds since independence in support of our army, but we understand that to move forward quickly, to modernize the army, we need help, especially in these difficult times
,” added the Ukrainian president.
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The United States announced on Wednesday the release of an additional $200 million in security aid to Ukraine.
Washington had provided some $450 million in military aid to Kiev ahead of the late 2021 deployment of Russian troops to the Ukrainian border.
The Biden administration has repeatedly said it is ready to help Ukraine militarily, a stark change as the United States has long worried about Russia's anger over Western assistance to its neighbor. and adversary.