U.S. Secretary of State Blinken Rocks Out in Kyiv, Tells Ukraine to Keep ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a powerful statement in Kyiv on Tuesday, picking up a guitar at a local bar and joining a band on stage to play Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in the Free World.” The message was clear – the U.S. and the world are standing with Ukraine in its fight for freedom.

Blinken, who has been in Kyiv this week to show unwavering support as Russia intensifies its attacks on Ukraine, joined the band 19.99 at Barman Dictat in the capital city. The song choice, released in 1989 just before the fall of the Berlin Wall, symbolized the fight for freedom and independence.

Addressing the crowd before playing the song, Blinken emphasized that the U.S. and the world are not just supporting a free Ukraine, but are fighting for a free world. The performance was a powerful moment of solidarity and support for the Ukrainian people.

The lead singer of 19.99 introduced Blinken as a “great friend of Ukraine,” and the Secretary of State impressed the crowd with his guitar skills. The performance was followed by a group of Ukrainian veterans from Cultural Forces of Ukraine, a group founded in 2022 to boost morale after Russia’s invasion.

Blinken’s visit to Ukraine comes after the U.S. Congress passed a $61 billion military aid package last month, following a delay that allowed Russia to gain an advantage on the battlefield. With Russian troops advancing and Ukraine facing shortages, the support from Washington is crucial in the fight for freedom.

Overall, Blinken’s guitar performance was a powerful symbol of solidarity and support for Ukraine in its struggle for independence. The message to “keep on rockin’ in the free world” resonated with the crowd and highlighted the global support for Ukraine’s fight for freedom.