Blinken Encourages Ukraine to Keep ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ with Guitar in Hand

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a powerful statement of solidarity with Ukraine on Tuesday as he picked up a red guitar at a basement bar in Kyiv. Amid escalating Russian attacks in Ukraine, Blinken joined the band 19.99 on stage at Barman Dictat in the capital city to play Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World”, a rock anthem from 1989.

Addressing the crowd, Blinken emphasized that the U.S. and much of the world were not just fighting for Ukraine, but for the free world as a whole. He expressed unwavering support for Ukraine, particularly for those suffering in the northeast, in Kharkiv. The song choice, “Rockin’ in the Free World”, carried a poignant message as it was first performed during a time of protests in the Soviet Union, ultimately leading to the breakup of the USSR and the independence of nations like Ukraine.

Impressed by Blinken’s guitar skills, Dmitry Temnyi, the frontman of 19.99, praised the Secretary of State’s performance. Blinken, the first senior U.S. official to visit Ukraine after the passage of a $61 billion military aid package, arrived in Kyiv by train for the undisclosed visit. The visit comes at a critical time as Russia launched a ground incursion into Kharkiv, further challenging Ukraine’s soldiers on the battlefield.

Blinken’s symbolic gesture of solidarity through music resonated with the Ukrainian audience, showcasing the strong bond between the U.S. and Ukraine in the face of adversity.