Zelensky to Blinken: Ukraine needs 2 Patriots to protect Kharkiv Oblast

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky met U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during the latter's visit to Kyiv on May 14.

The president thanked Blinken for the "crucial package" of $61 billion in U.S. aid passed by Congress in April. While this decision unblocked the flow of American assistance after six months of delays, it will likely still take some time before the effects are felt on the battlefield.

"A big appreciation from Ukrainians to Americans for this," Zelensky said.

The president stressed that Kyiv hopes to see the U.S. assistance arriving as soon as possible, Ukrinform reported.

Ukraine's head of state said that Ukrainian defenders went through a "tough period" in the east of the country. Russian forces leveraged Ukraine's ammunition shortages, compounded by the lack of U.S. aid, and ramped up pressure along the front.