us secretary of state antony blinken rocks out in kyiv (1)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken surprised everyone during his visit to Kyiv in Ukrain. Mostly seen in his formal attire, Blinken opted for a style change this time: a casual shirt, denim jeans and an electric guitar. To everyone’s surprise, he played Neil Young’s song “Rockin’ in the Free World” with a local band in a bar named ‘Diktat.’
Blinken’s Message to Ukrainians
Blinken was in Kyiv for a two day official trip focused on showing support for Ukraine during its long going conflict with Russia. Before breaking the bar with his performance, he delivered a short speech to the audience at the bar. “You need to know, the United States is with you. So much of the world is with you, and they’re fighting not just for a free Ukraine but for a free world. And the free world is with you, too,” he said. His words were meant to lift the morals and spirits of Ukrainians facing tough times.
The Significance of the Song
The song Blinken played, “Rockin’ in the Free World”, was released in 1989 by Neil Young. When the Soviet Union canceled Young’s concert where he was going to perform this song, it grabbed all the limelite and the song became popular afterwards. The song has since been a symbol of resistance and freedom, making it a perfect choice for the current scenario in Ukraine.
Mixed Reactions Online
The video of Blinken playing the guitar broke the internet and received various reactions. Some praised him for this gesture, while others were critical and full of sarcasm. One user on X ( formerly Twitter) commented “Tax dollars at work”, claiming the performance was a misuse of resources and tax paid by hard working citizens of the United States. Another user questioned Blinken’s earlier statements on U.S. military aid, pointing out inconsistencies in policies related to international law.
A Challenging Time for Ukraine
Blinken’s visit during these difficult times for Ukraine, as Russia launched new attacks in the north eastern Kharkiv region. Blinken emboldened Ukrainians that the U.S. and other countries are with Ukraine. He acknowledged the hardships and hard times they are facing and reiterated the importance of standing together.
Russia’s Response
The Putin government had a different stand on Blinken’s visit. The Russian Foreign Ministry saw it as a sign of the U.S.’s growing concern over the war’s progress, suggesting Ukrainian forces were struggling. Russia’s Defense Ministry also reported shooting down ten U.S. supplied Ukrainian missiles targeting Crimea.
A New Approach to Diplomacy
Blinken’s performance wasn’t just a musical moment; it was a strategic gesture to connect with Ukrainians on a personal level and emotion. Blinken aimed to show solidarity and boost the morale of Ukrainians by playing this song with deep historical and revolutionary meaning.
While the reactions on this event were mixed, it highlighted how modern and flexible diplomacy often involves more than just formal meetings and statements. Blinken’s musical approach was a way to reach out to the Ukrainians directly, showing that the U.S. stands with Ukraine in both words and actions.
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