Zelensky hails ‘encouraging’ talks in Kyiv with Blinken, Austin

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has hailed talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as “encouraging” and “effective.”

Speaking in a video address today, he says the US is offering “powerful” support to his country. Zelensky adds that they agreed “on further steps to strengthen the armed forces of Ukraine and meet all the priority needs of our army.” He notes that ramping up sanctions against Moscow also was on the meeting’s agenda.

Blinken and Austin said the United States had approved a $165 million sale of ammunition for Ukraine’s war effort, along with more than $300 million in foreign military financing.

Zelensky notes that Ukraine would expect the United States to lead other allies in offering a set of security guarantees in the future.

The Ukrainian president also denounces Russia for launching strikes on Orthodox Easter Sunday, describing them “deliberate destruction of life in Ukraine.”