Blinken Tells Ukraine ‘You Are Not Alone’ as Russia’s Military Makes Gains

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken sought to reassure Ukrainians on Tuesday that they could weather an ominous new Russian military offensive and count on long-term support from the United States and its European allies.

“You are not alone,” Mr. Blinken declared in remarks in the capital city, Kyiv, where he arrived by train on Tuesday morning for an unannounced visit at what he called “a critical moment” for Ukraine’s future as Russia makes fresh military gains around the northeastern city of Kharkiv.

It is Mr. Blinken’s fourth trip to Kyiv since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the first by a senior U.S. official since President Biden signed a $60.8 billion aid package approved by Congress three weeks ago after months of infighting among House Republicans.

Mr. Blinken’s trip was planned before the Russian offensive, which has only underscored the importance of the American support that he came to highlight.

Hours after meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky at his presidential offices and hearing his pleas for still more military assistance, Mr. Blinken conceded that the delay in U.S. aid had “left you more vulnerable to Russia’s attacks.”

But he argued that American support for the country remained durable. Congress ultimately approved the aid package first proposed by Mr. Biden last fall with overwhelming bipartisan support, he noted, implicitly downplaying the significance of the minority of House Republicans who managed to tie up the package for months.