In a bid to reassure Ukraine during a challenging period, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken took to the stage in a local club, wielding his guitar as a symbol of solidarity.
Addressing the crowd, Blinken acknowledged the hardships faced by the Ukrainian people, particularly in the northeast and Kharkiv. "Your soldiers, your citizens, are suffering tremendously," he stated. He then emphasized the support of the United States and the global community, saying, "The United States is with you, so much of the world is with you. And they're fighting, not just for a free Ukraine, but for the free world, and the free world is with you too."
Following his speech, Blinken, in a surprising move, suggested a musical performance. He and his fellow musicians then launched into a rendition of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World," a performance confirmed by the Kyiv Independent to have taken place at the Barman Diktat bar in Kyiv.
Blinken, known for his love of music, which he calls his "greatest nonpolitical passion," also sang along during the performance. This is not his first musical appearance; he performed a cover of Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man" at a State Department event in October 2023.
However, his recent performance in Ukraine has drawn criticism online, with many accusing him of being out of touch with the average American. This comes in the wake of Congress passing a $95 billion foreign aid package, with over $60 billion allocated to Ukraine. Recent allegations of corruption in Ukraine have sparked questions about the distribution of these funds. Furthermore, an additional $400 million in military aid was announced earlier in May.
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