In Kyiv, Blinken will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba “to reinforce the United States’ commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” according to State Department spokesman Ned Price.
In Berlin, Blinken will “discuss recent diplomatic engagements with Russia and joint efforts to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine, including Allies’ and partners’ readiness to impose massive consequences and severe economic costs on Russia.”
Blinken will meet with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, followed by a meeting with the Transatlantic Quad, which also includes the UK and France, according to Price.
Ahead of the top US diplomat’s travels to Kyiv, Blinken spoke on Tuesday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov about last week’s diplomatic engagements and “stressed the importance of continuing a diplomatic path to de-escalate tensions surrounding the deeply troubling Russian military build-up in and near Ukraine,” Price said in a readout of the call.
The US has been assuring Ukraine of its commitment to the country, amid new warning signs and US intelligence that suggest Russia is preparing a Ukraine invasion.
This story has been updated.
