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Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made an unanticipated visit to Kyiv, arriving shortly after a Russian missile strike on the city.

According to the State Department, The purpose of Blinken’s trip is to emphasize the United States’ “unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, territorial integrity and democracy.”

During his stay, Blinken plans to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, focusing on discussions regarding Ukraine’s countermeasures in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Blinken articulated the US stance, stating, “We want to make sure that Ukraine has what it needs, not only to succeed in the counteroffensive but has what it needs for the long-term.”

This marks Blinken’s fourth journey to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion in March 2022 and stands out as the first instance of a US official spending a night in Kyiv post the onset of the war.

Symbolizing support for Ukraine, this trip is accompanied by expectations of announcing US military aid for Ukraine, ranging between $175 million to $200 million, as per reports from the Associated Press.