US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a bold statement of solidarity with Ukraine by performing a cover of Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World” at a basement bar in Kyiv. Dressed casually in a black shirt and faded jeans, Blinken took the stage with a local jazz-punk band to show support for the country facing a new Russian onslaught in the northeast.
Addressing the crowd of Ukrainians and Americans gathered at BarmanDictat, Blinken expressed empathy for the citizens and soldiers in Kharkiv who are suffering tremendously. The performance came after a day of meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and a speech to students, emphasizing that Ukraine is not alone in its struggle.
The visit to Kyiv marked the first by a senior US administration official since Congress approved a $61 billion military aid package to support Ukrainian troops. Blinken’s performance, however, sparked mixed feelings among Ukrainians, with some calling for more tangible support in the form of weapons rather than symbolic gestures.
During his visit, Zelenskiy pleaded with Blinken for Patriot air-defense batteries to provide air cover for Kharkiv, which has been under relentless bombardment by Russian forces. The Biden administration is reportedly working to send an additional Patriot battery to support Ukraine’s defense efforts.
In his closing remarks at the bar, Blinken reassured the crowd that the United States and the world stand with Ukraine in its fight for freedom. The performance may have been brief, but its message of solidarity resonated with those in attendance, underscoring the importance of international support in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.