U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy have underscored their commitment to Ukraine in its war with Russia.
This came as the two diplomats are on a joint visit to Kyiv. They landed in Ukraine early on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
Blinken noted that the visit came “in challenging times.”
U.S State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, said in an X post that Blinken and Lammy are in Kyiv to underscore “the importance of our ongoing joint efforts to counter Russia’s aggression.”
“The U.S. and UK stand united with Ukraine as they defend their sovereignty and freedom,” Miller added.
Questions over Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons are expected to be on the agenda as Blinken and Lammy visit the Ukrainian capital.
Ukraine has been pushing its partners to speed up assistance and to allow Kyiv to use long-range weapons deep inside Russia.
Lammy said that he and his American counterpart were at Kyiv “to listen, to understand the plan, to understand the strategy and understand the needs across a whole range of fronts.”
“Yes, of course, equipment but of course energy that has been sabotaged, the support that’s needed on the humanitarian front over these next few months and how we continue to mobilise the international community on Ukraine’s behalf.
“So we are listening carefully and, of course, we are having discussions on a range of issues including the military equipment that Ukraine needs to win.”
David Lammy
Early on Wednesday, Lammy announced that Britain had sanctioned 10 ships in Russia’s “shadow fleet” of vessels which it says use illicit practices to avoid Western embargoes on Russian oil.
“Today’s sanctions further undermine Russia’s ability to trade in oil via its shadow fleet,” he said in a statement.
“Alongside our partners, we will continue to send a stark message to Russia that the international community stands with Ukraine and we will not tolerate this illicit fleet,” he stressed.
The British Foreign Secretary said that Putin’s “shadow fleet generates critical revenue for his war chest by avoiding sanctions and directly funding his illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
“We will continue to stand firm with Ukraine and build a more secure and prosperous Europe,” he added.
Ukraine Hopes For Agreement On Long-range Equipment Use
Ukrainian Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal told Lammy in a meeting that he hoped an agreement on using long-range equipment “for strikes on the territory of our enemy” could be reached.
He said, “We hope for your help and support in this issue.”
Shmyhal described the meeting with Lammy in Kyiv as “intense.”
The Ukrainian Prime Minister said that he thanked the British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, for a new military aid package and support for Ukraine’s energy sector.
“We also spoke about the supply of air defence systems to Ukraine and the situation in the energy sector. Thanks to the help of our partners, we are rebuilding what was destroyed by Russia. We are grateful to the UK Government and the British people for their strong and unwavering support for.”
Denys Shmyhal
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, called for “strong decisions” to be made when he meets Blinken and Lammy.
“I don’t know all the details of our conversation. I will be ready to be open and honest after these consultations.
“If I am optimistic about their decision to give us permission to use long distance, it is a pity it doesn’t depend on my optimism. It depends on their optimism. Let’s count on some strong decisions on this.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy is due to meet Biden during a visit to Washington later this month.
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