US State Department reveals details of Deputy Blinken's recent visit to Kyiv
US Deputy Secretary of State Uzra Zeya (screenshot from the video)
During her visit to Kyiv on October 18, US Deputy Secretary of State Uzra Zeya held a series of meetings with Ukrainian officials, investigative journalists, humanitarian workers, and others. She also announced initiatives aimed at achieving victory in the war, according to the US State Department.
In the US State Department, officials noted that during her visit to Kyiv last Friday, Zeya emphasized the unwavering solidarity of the US in her discussions with Ukrainian officials.
She also reaffirmed Washington's support for helping Ukraine to win, strengthening its democratic resilience, ensuring its Euro-Atlantic future, holding Russia accountable for its atrocities, advancing full justice for the Ukrainian people, and supporting US humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable.
US Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya, held discussions with various officials, including:
- Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna;
- Minister of Veterans Affairs Natalia Kalmykova;
- Leadership of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP);
- Chief Justice of the High Anti-Corruption Court of Ukraine;
- Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Oleksii Serhiyev;
- First Deputy Chief of the National Police Maksym Tsutskeridze.
"She also met with investigative journalists, humanitarian workers, veterans, and internally displaced persons, including youth," the State Department reported.
Additionally, the US Deputy Secretary of State spoke at the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine’s 10th anniversary ceremony.
She noted that she highly appreciated Ukraine's significant achievements in the fight against corruption and its determination to build on these successes amid the ongoing aggressive war by Russia.
"During her trip, Under Secretary Zeya announced three new initiatives to help the Ukrainian people win the war and win the future," the US Department stated, outlining them as follows:
- The State Department Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs launched a $5 million grant, in partnership with the Institute for War & Peace Reporting, to increase governmental transparency and accountability by supporting civil society organizations and investigative journalists making essential contributions in the fight against corruption.
The State Department clarified that this grant will also aim to strengthen collaboration between civil society and independent anti-corruption institutions in Ukraine.
- The State Department Office of Global Criminal Justice awarded $2 million to the International Organization for Migration to support reparative justice for Ukrainians.
The US side noted that this initiative aims to assist government officials and civil society in developing internal mechanisms for compensation to directly support victims and survivors of crimes committed by Russia, laying the groundwork for Ukrainians to achieve justice as swiftly as possible.
- Additionally, the State Department Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations awarded $2 million to UN Women for a new partnership to advance Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) in Ukraine.
"With this funding, UN Women will support Ukraine’s institutions to implement the National Action Plan on WPS and advance women’s leadership, ownership, and participation in conflict response and recovery at all levels," the US State Department reported.
On October 18, the US Embassy in Ukraine announced the arrival of Deputy Secretary of State Uzra Zeya for a visit to Kyiv.
While the embassy did not provide further details, it indicated that during her visit, the American official would reaffirm the US commitment to supporting Ukraine in its resistance to military aggression from Russia.
