A train to Kyiv
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Ukraine by train on Tuesday in the first visit by a senior Biden administration official to the war-torn country since the U.S. passed a long-delayed $61 billion military aid package.
The unannounced visit also comes as Russian forces appear to be making advances near Kharkiv, Ukraine's second biggest city. More than two years after Russian's invasion, Ukraine is running low on munitions and needs help bolstering its air defense systems. The U.S. is sending artillery, long-range missiles known as ATACMS and air defense interceptors to Ukraine.
The pomp and circumstance of Blinken's train arrival juxtaposes the desperation and violence experienced in the country at the moment. Although Blinken says aid is on the way, the U.S. also played a role in Ukraine's lack of munitions. The Biden administration says delays in Congress held up necessary aid to Ukraine and the pace has put the warring nation in a precarious position.