[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Tony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, who visited Ukraine, promised to provide an additional $300 million (approximately 357.2 billion KRW) this year to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, Interfax reported on the 19th (local time).
According to the report, Secretary Blinken said at a press conference held after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, "We will continue our support for Ukraine, including defense and security assistance," adding, "We will provide an additional $300 million this year."
Secretary Blinken also stated that the U.S. Senate delegation, which visited Ukraine the day before, and the U.S. House delegation, which visited Ukraine last December, support the aid, noting that both the Democratic and Republican parties agree on this.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky, in a nationwide video address on the same day, said, "All the news now is filled with similar reports that the war with Russia and Russia's invasion will happen tomorrow," asserting that Russia's threat has been ongoing since 2014 and is nothing new. He urged the public not to panic or become anxious, emphasizing that "the situation is under control."
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