Secretary of State Antony Blinken showed his support for Ukraine in its war against Russia by performing a cover of “Rockin’ in the Free World” in a basement bar near Kyiv’s main strip. Dressed casually in a black shirt and faded jeans, Blinken played the electric guitar accompanied by a local jazz-punk band. Prior to his performance, he delivered a brief speech expressing solidarity with Ukrainians facing the challenges of Russia’s recent actions in the northeast of the country.
Addressing a crowd of Ukrainians and Americans at BarmanDictat, or the barman’s dictatorship, Blinken acknowledged the difficult circumstances being endured by soldiers and citizens in Kharkiv. He reassured the audience that Ukraine is not alone in its struggle. The gig marked the end of a busy day for the Secretary, which included meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and a speech to students emphasizing U.S. support for Ukraine.
During his visit, Zelenskiy made a plea to Blinken for two Patriot air-defense batteries to protect Kharkiv from ongoing bombardment by Russian forces. The Biden administration is reportedly working on sending an additional battery to aid the defense efforts in the region. Blinken reiterated the U.S.’s commitment to Ukraine and emphasized that the fight being waged is not just for the country’s freedom, but for the freedom of the world at large.
In addition to meeting with Zelenskiy and performing at BarmanDictat, Blinken also visited other sites around Kyiv such as St Sophia Cathedral and Maidan Square where he spoke about America’s role in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity
