Blinken's visit to Kyiv, $2.2 billion from the USA for Ukraine and its neighbors: the highlights of the day

Blinken's visit

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kyiv unannounced on September 8 to discuss military aid to Ukraine, reports AFP.

During the visit, Antony Blinken met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and visited Irpin, Kyiv Oblast, damaged as a result of hostilities. This was reported by the website of the President and the head of Kyiv Regional Military Administration, Oleksii Kuleba.

During the meeting with Blinken, Zelenskyy thanked him for American assistance to Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression. Also, Zelenskyy once again reminded that Russia should be given the status of a state sponsor of terrorism. “ We have all seen the information about the body of British volunteer Paul Ury handed over to us by the aggressor. And terrible footage showing results of torture. This is another proof that we are dealing with a terrorist state, ” the president said.

At the same time, Kuleba, after meeting with Blinken in Irpen, emphasized the importance of the fact that the Secretary of State personally came to the war-damaged city, “ because no photo will convey the horrors of the war that the Russians committed on the territory of our Kyiv Oblast."

$2.2 billion from the US to Ukraine and its neighbors

The US State Department announced its intention to allocate another 2.2 billion dollars to support the security of Ukraine and its neighbors. This is stated on the website of the State Department.

The money will be used for long-term investments to strengthen the defense of Ukraine and its 18 neighbors. Among them are NATO countries and other regional partners of the US, which are threatened by future Russian aggression.

AFP clarified that it is about loans and grants for Ukraine and its neighbors for the purchase of American military equipment.

Success of the Armed Forces in several directions

Russian troops focused on establishing full control over the territory of Donetsk Oblast and holding the temporarily captured districts of Kherson, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv Oblasts. However, the Ukrainian defenders hold their positions and do not allow the enemy to advance. This is reported by the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

On September 8, the aviation of the Defense Forces carried out more than 12 strikes, hitting 2 platoon strongholds, 6 areas of concentration of manpower and military hardware, and 2 anti-aircraft missile complexes of the enemy. Air defense units of our troops destroyed two UAVs. The losses of the enemy are specified.

Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland close their borders to Russians with Schengen visas

Estonia will close its border to Russians with Schengen visas on the night of September 19. This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, Urmas Reinsalu, at a briefing on September 8.

“ Estonia's political will is that on the night of September 19, the ban on entry to Estonia for citizens of Russia will come into effect. This applies to those Russians who have visas issued in Estonia, as well as visas issued in other EU countries, ” the minister said. He also noted that Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland will join the decision.

Reinsalu also appealed to the Russians: “ Do not come to Estonia with Schengen visas, you are not welcome here!" But he added that the ban does not apply to Russian citizens who go to visit relatives or for other humanitarian reasons.

Death of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain

The official resources of Buckingham Palace announced the death of Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. “ The Queen passed away peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and return to London tomorrow," Buckingham Palace reports.

After the announcement of the Queen's death, the flag of Great Britain was lowered over Buckingham Palace.