Blinken Visit: Ukraine Needs Two Patriots to Defend Kharkiv Region, Urges Zelenskyy

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Here's what they talked about:

According to the BBC, Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Blinken for the “crucial package” of U.S. aid approved by Congress in April.

“A big appreciation from Ukrainians to Americans for this,” the President commented.

Addressing the challenging situation in the eastern part of Ukraine, Zelenskyy noted that Ukrainian defenders had endured a difficult period. The Head of State conveyed Kyiv’s hope for the prompt delivery of U.S. assistance.

Highlighting the critical importance of air defense capabilities, the President emphasized that two Patriot air defense systems are needed to defend Kharkiv and Kharkiv region.

“I think the biggest problem is that we really need two patriots for the Kharkiv region, because there are people – they are under attack, civilians, warriors, everybody – they are under Russian missiles,” President Zelenskyy said.

This call comes amidst escalating Russian aerial attacks in the northeastern region, coupled with renewed offensive launched in the north of Kharkiv region on May 10.

“We know this is a challenging time,” Antony Blinken said. “But we also know that in the near term, the assistance is now on the way. Some of it already arrived, and more of it will be arriving, and that’s going to make a real difference against the Russian aggression on the battlefield.”

Blinken also praised the “extraordinary courage of the Ukrainian people” and said that “we are equally determined that Ukraine stands strongly on its own feet, militarily, economically, democratically, a strong, successful, thriving, free Ukraine is the best possible rebuke to Putin.”

US Secretary of State is also expected to deliver a speech in support of Ukraine.

Editor’s note: This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available