U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen makes surprise visit to Ukraine as the war enters its second year

 
U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has followed in the footsteps of her boss, President Joe Biden, making a surprise trip to Kyiv.

During the visit, Yellen reaffirmed Washington’s support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia’s invasion, while promoting economic aid that is bolstering the country’s war effort.

Meeting with the Ukrainian President, the Treasury chief commended Zelensky for his leadership and resolve in the face of Russia’s “illegal and unprovoked” invasion.

“As we mark one year since the beginning of this full-scale invasion, the message I bring you from President Biden is simple: ‘America will stand with Ukraine as long as it takes,'” Yellen said.

“And today I am proud to announce the transfer of an additional amount of over 1.2 billion dollars. That’s the first tranche of about ten billion dollars in direct support that the United States will provide in the coming months.”

Yellen met with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Ukrainian Prime minister Denys Shmyhal.

Shmyhal said the two discussed further U.S. sanctions on Russia as well as “confiscating frozen Russian assets.”

Yellen’s visit comes a week after U.S. President Joe Biden staged his own unannounced trip to Kyiv and promised $500 million in additional military aid for Ukraine and new sanctions on Russia announced days later, including effectively banning U.S. imports of Russian aluminium.

Yellen visited Kyiv on her way back to Washington from a G20 finance leaders meeting in India, where she urged counterparts to boost economic aid to Ukraine and insisted that G20 ministers issue a strong condemnation of Russia’s invasion. #trending #featured