Blinken: Russia Failed to Achieve Its Goals in Ukraine

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Monday that Russia has failed to achieve its objectives in Ukraine, calling for an end to the war and military operations Moscow is conducting against Kyiv. During a press conference with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the conclusion of their visit to Ukraine, Blinken emphasized that the battle for Kyiv "was decided in favor of the Ukrainians." He added, "I spoke to Antonio Guterres on Friday and urged him to convey a very strong message to Putin regarding the need to end the war." Blinken also noted that U.S. diplomats will return to Kyiv this week. Regarding U.S. support for Kyiv, Blinken mentioned, "Washington pledges to provide more than $713 million in additional aid to Ukraine and 15 countries in Central and Eastern Europe." Meanwhile, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated, "We are doing everything possible to ensure the safe delivery of the weapons we send to the Ukrainians." Lloyd concluded by saying, "During our trip to Kyiv, what we saw suggests that life is beginning to return to normal."