STORY: :: U.S.'s Blinken, UK's Lammy promise
more aid for Ukraine during a visit to Kyiv
:: Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State
"With an expansion of attacks from Russia pummeling Ukrainian cities, citizens, infrastructure, with monstrous brutality. And now Putin's further empowering his aggression with the acquisition of Iranian ballistic missiles. So we're working with urgency to continue to ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to effectively defend itself." // "Among other things, we discussed long-range fires, but a number of other things as well. And as I said at the outset, I'm going to take that discussion back to Washington to brief the president on what I heard, I know that David is doing the same."
:: September 11, 2024
:: David Lammy, UK Foreign Minister
"Today, I can confirm more than 600 million worth of support for Ukraine, including 242 million this financial year for immediate humanitarian, energy and stabilization needs, as well as support for reform, recovery and reconstruction."
Blinken and Lammy are expected to push Ukraine for more information on its strategic aims as they consider whether to give the go-ahead, according to Western sources.
There is nervousness in Washington and some European capitals that doing so would provoke Russia towards a direct conflict with the West, while officials also recognize that Ukraine needs more help if it is to swing the war in its favor.
Blinken has declined to say whether Washington would give permission but said multiple factors went into any decision.
