Blinken Visits Kyiv Amid Tensions with Russia

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Kiev on Thursday in one-day visit to reaffirm Washington's support for Ukraine's 'sovereignty and territorial integrity'.

Blinken's visit represents a visible show of support following a massive troop buildup by Russia even as he also pushes for action against corruption.

In addition, Blinken joined other foreign ministers from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies in condemning Russia's "irresponsible and destabilising behaviour" in Ukraine and elsewhere.

The G7 renewed its call "for Ukraine's independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders including its territorial waters."

"It is critical that Moscow now fully withdraws its forces and takes the necessary steps to help alleviate tensions," a G7 statement said.

Moreover, the Secretary of State will join Metropolitan Yepifaniy -- head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has split from Russian domination -- in laying flowers at a memorial to soldiers killed in the eastern Donbas region

He will also meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has renewed calls to speed up Ukraine's entry into the NATO alliance in the face of fears about Russia.

On his part, Zelenskyy has made it perfectly clear that he wants significant action.

“Ukraine needs a clear signal about the European and Euro-Atlantic prospect,” he said Monday on Twitter, referring to Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO and the European Union. “Postponing these issues for ‘later,’ ‘someday,’ ‘(in) 10 years’ has to end.”