Anthony Blinken defended Ukraine's "democratic and European path"

 

 US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who visited Kiev on Wednesday, called on Ukrainians to "stick together", warning that - with 100,000 Russian troops gathered at the border - one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's goals is to provoke internal divisions. writes the European edition of Politico.

"Our strength depends on preserving our unity, and that includes unity in Ukraine," Blinken said, appearing with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before the meeting. "One of Moscow's long-standing goals is to try to sow divisions between and within countries, and we simply cannot and will not allow them to do so. So our message to all our friends here and to all the global leaders of Ukraine, as well as to its citizens, is to stick together and stick to this unity, to strengthen it. "It has never been more important, especially since the country is facing the possibility of renewed Russian aggression."

Blinken noted that he was part of a parade of Western officials appearing in the Ukrainian capital in recent days. German Foreign Minister Analena Burbock was there on Monday, ahead of a visit to Moscow on Tuesday.

 "I'm tempted to say that the last thing you need is another visitor, because I think Kiev may be the most popular destination in the world right now," Blinken said. But he added that US President Joe Biden had asked him to go and demonstrate Washington's continued support.

"Now, as always, it is up to the Ukrainians and no one else to decide their own future and the future of this country," Blinken said. "The Ukrainian people chose a democratic and European path in 1991. They came to the Maidan to defend this election in 2013. And unfortunately, since then you have faced relentless aggression from Moscow. "Russia has invaded Crimea, provoked a conflict in eastern Ukraine and is systematically trying to undermine and divide Ukrainian democracy."

Zelensky thanked Blinken and reiterated Ukraine's desire to join NATO, but also stressed that his country desperately needs help to defend itself.

"We are allocating the maximum funds during all the years of our country's independence - the maximum money to support our army," he said. "But to take very quick steps to modernize the army - we need help here, especially help in such times, difficult times - I think these times can be called difficult."