Washington, Sep 12 (FN Agency) Ukraine needs to do more work on reform to bolster the country’s economic sectors and address corruption, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday during a trilateral meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy in Kiev. “More work needs to be done on reform. Ukraine needs to ensure investors and businesses they’re treated fairly… [and] needs institutions that are independent, effective, and free from political interference. That’s crucial for the national anti corruption bureau, for its regulatory bodies and the boards of state owned enterprises,” said Blinken during the trilateral press conference.
The secretary also announced over $700 million to provide humanitarian relief and to assist in repairing Ukraine’s energy grid. During their visit, Blinken heard appeals from Ukrainian officials for permission to use American and British long-range weapons to strike deep into Russian territory despite Moscow’s warning to all parties that its red lines are not to be fooled with. Blinken said he will discuss the request with President Joe Biden when he returns to Washington. Blinken and Lammy earlier met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kiev to discuss continued support for Ukraine. Blinken will head to Poland on Thursday for talks with senior Polish officials.