US Secretary Blinken in Kyiv: Pandora’s Box, Putin’s Aggressive Actions and Meeting with Zelensky

The US will allocate an additional $300 million to Ukraine in 2022.

On the morning of January 19, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Ukraine. He met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. 

“US Secretary Blinken has just arrived in Kyiv, where he was greeted by our wonderful colleagues from the embassy. Today he will meet with President of Ukraine Zelensky and Minister Kuleba to confirm our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the US embassy said. 

Pandora’s Box

Blinken believes that if Russia’s actions against Ukraine go unanswered, this will untie the hands of other autocracies and undermine democracy around the world. 

Antony Blinken
US Secretary of State

Many Americans ask why we are so focused on Ukraine, why it matters. Of course, Ukraine matters in its own right. For many years we have supported its sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence. You have heard this formula many times. But it is also bigger than Ukraine. Because here is what is happening: one country, Russia, is saying through its actions that it can simply change its neighbors’ borders by force, can decide for its neighbors what their decisions should be, with whom they can form alliances, rather than the people of that country through their elected government. 

He noted that Russia wants to have spheres of influence and to bend its neighbors to its will rather than their choice. 

According to Blinken, if this goes unpunished, “we will open a large Pandora’s box.” This concerns not only Ukraine. Other autocratic countries of the world, such as Russia, will say: “we will do the same.” 

“And this will be a recipe for conflict, a recipe for chaos, a recipe for human suffering and a recipe for undermining democracy. That is why this matters: from the individual on the Maidan to something that affects Americans and people all over the world,” Blinken said. 

Putin’s Aggressive Actions

Speaking to diplomats at the US embassy in Kyiv, Blinken warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin could order an attack on very short notice. 

At the same time, he very much hopes that Russia will stick to the diplomatic and peaceful path. According to him, the buildup of Russian presence has taken place “without reason.” 

Antony Blinken
US Secretary of State

As you all know well, over the past couple of months we have paid close attention to Ukraine because of the significant buildup of Russian forces that we have observed near the Ukrainian border. <...> We know that there are plans to increase these forces even further in a very short time, and this gives President Putin the ability, also in a very short time, to take further aggressive actions against Ukraine. 

According to Blinken, Russia’s actions have drawn the attention of Washington as well as its allies in Europe and beyond. 

Meeting with Zelensky

President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. 

Volodymyr Zelensky
President of Ukraine

We have finished talks with Secretary of State Blinken. I appreciate his personal involvement in the process of de-escalating the situation around Ukraine. I am grateful for the effective political and security support from the United States. I count on strengthening economic and financial cooperation. I am convinced that no decision about Ukraine will be made without Ukraine.

Blinken noted that President Joe Biden asked him to visit Ukraine to confirm to Ukrainians the support the US provides to Ukraine, as well as “that now, more than ever, everything depends on Ukrainians and no one else — to decide on their future and the future of their country.” 

According to him, Biden wanted the secretary to personally inform Ukrainian partners about the past week of intensive diplomacy with Russia and to consult on next steps, including a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday. 

Antony Blinken
US Secretary of State

We have clearly expressed our preference for finding a diplomatic resolution to the conflict and ensuring de-escalation of the situation. In addition, we have told Moscow clearly that if they choose aggression against Ukraine, that aggression will have serious consequences, not only from the United States but also from Europe and other countries around the world. 

Russia’s greatest success would be sowing panic

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, during a joint press conference with the US Secretary of State, expressed confidence that Ukraine is now strong enough to get through the current difficult period with dignity, and that the most important thing for Ukrainians is not to give in to the Kremlin’s attempts to sow panic and destabilize the situation from within. 

He noted that Ukraine’s situation is much better than at the start of Russian aggression: “Today Ukraine is very strong. We have a strong army, we have—I say this without false modesty—strong diplomacy, we have strong partners. And although we are aware of all the risks associated with the aggressive intentions of the Russian Federation, we must have confidence in ourselves and believe in our ability to overcome this difficult moment in our history as well. And I have absolutely no doubt that it will be so.” 

Dmytro Kuleba
Foreign Minister of Ukraine

Russia’s greatest achievement today would be sowing panic and despondency in Ukrainian society and destabilizing us from within, above all—destabilizing our economy and financial system. Therefore we must make every effort not to allow Russia to achieve this goal. All our efforts are aimed at keeping the situation in the country stable and the financial system strong and predictable, so that the Ukrainian economy does not suffer from problems arising in the security sphere. 

According to him, this issue was also discussed in a conversation with Antony Blinken. “Believe in yourselves, believe in your state — and everything will definitely be fine,” Kuleba concluded. 

“Don’t let Moscow divide you”

The US Secretary of State called on Ukrainian politicians to set aside differences in favor of the common national interest and to work together against the backdrop of a possible Russian invasion. 

Antony Blinken
US Secretary of State

As far as we know, one of Moscow’s longest-standing goals has been to sow divisions within Ukraine, so that Ukrainians find it harder to work together to realize their Euro-democratic ambitions, claiming that democracy is a tool of polarization. <...> Ukraine must avoid any actions that would help Russia’s cynical efforts. Don’t let Moscow divide you. This means that leaders within the Ukrainian government and outside it must set aside their differences in favor of the common national interest and work together to prepare for difficult days. 

An additional $300 million

The US will allocate an additional $300 million to Ukraine in 2022, Antony Blinken announced. 

He noted that Washington will continue to support Kyiv in defense and security. The support comes from both US parties. 

Blinken stated: “Ukraine must be united in the face of Russian aggression.” The US and Ukraine will act in a coordinated manner so that Moscow feels the consequences of possible aggression.