Antony Blinken takes the stage of a bar during his visit to kyiv to play for “a free Ukraine”

The Secretary of State of the United States, Anthony Blinkenpicked up a red guitar in a kyiv basement bar on Tuesday with a message to Ukraine: that the United States and much of the world are fighting, not only for Ukraine, but for the free world.

Blinken, who during his stay in kyiv this week pledged the unwavering support of the United States As Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine, he joined the band 19.99 on the Barman Dictat stage in the capital city. They touched on the topic Rockin’ in the Free World by Neil Younga rock anthem released in 1989, just before the fall of the Berlin Wall.

“Their soldiers, their citizens – particularly in the northeast, in Kharkiv – are suffering tremendously. But they need to know that America is with you, much of the world is with you and is fighting. Not only for a free Ukraine, but for a free world“Blinken stated before playing the song. “The free world is with you too,” he added.

Blinken watched most of 19.99’s set before the lead singer introduced him as a “great friend of Ukraine.” He then joined them on stage to perform the song with the choir”keep on rockin’ in the free world“.

The song was first performed during a time when the Soviet Union was recovering from protests. Ultimately, the USSR dissolved and numerous nations, including Ukraine, gained independence.

[Blinken visita Kiev para reafirmar el apoyo de EEUU a Ucrania: “La ayuda militar está en camino”]

Dmitry Temnyi, leader of 19.99, said he was impressed by Blinken’s guitar skills. “He played well,” he said.

The band was followed by a group of Ukrainian veterans who played dressed in military uniforms, Ukrainian Cultural Forces. It was founded in 2022 to boost Ukraine’s morale after the Russian invasion and has both a civilian and military branch.

Blinken is the first senior US official to travel to Ukraine after the US Congress last month approved a $61 billion military aid package after a delay of several months during which Russia gained an advantage on the battlefield.

Blinken arrived in kyiv by train early Tuesday morning in a previously undisclosed visit, which comes days after Russia launched a ground incursion into the northern Kharkiv region, opening a new front and stretching Ukrainian soldiers. .

kyiv has been on the defensive on the battlefield for months as Russian troops advanced slowlytaking advantage of the shortage of troops and artillery shells in Ukraine.

Military aid from Washington, kyiv’s main backer, was held up for months, blocked by Republicans in the US Congress until they finally allowed a vote last month, when it passed with bipartisan support.