Ukraine supporters on Tuesday condemned Secretary of State Antony Blinken for going on a rampage in an underground bar in Kiev as heavy fighting continued in war-torn northeastern Ukraine.
Blinken, 62; stood on stage He performs with a local band at a watering hole in the Ukrainian capital, guitar in hand, belting out Neil Young’s classic “Rockin’ in the Free World” during a break in a diplomatic meeting related to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. ‘ was sung loudly.
While revelers inside the bar cheered Blinken, the top US diplomat, who let his guard down during an official visit to a war zone, was viewed less favorably on social media.
“It’s shockingly tone-deaf,” said Jimmy Rushton, a Kyiv-based foreign policy analyst. I wrote to X. “This can’t be a boring vacation. Ukrainian soldiers are fighting and dying in droves on the front lines right now, and Blinken is pretending to be a rock star in a Kiev bar.”
“There’s already a lot of anger at the delays and restrictions that the United States has imposed,” Rushton added, noting Congress’ months-long delay in approving additional military aid to Ukraine.
“In general, this situation will go very badly, especially considering the current situation in Kharkov,” he argued.
Rushton’s criticism was echoed by several other Ukraine supporters at X.
“They don’t need performances. They’ve had enough. Deliver them!” one user wrote.
“Who cares? Did he bring F-16s, Patriots, NASAM? Neil Young’s cover can’t beat Russia (technically Canada, regardless),” said another. There’s a chime.
Some social media users joked that Blinken’s strummed performance might actually help the war effort.
“Blinken will get scared and try to kill them because he can’t produce enough shells,” one person said. quipped about X.
“We won the battle of the bands!” Another Ukrainian supporter celebrated.
Blinken, who was introduced by one of his band members as a “great friend of Ukraine,” acknowledged the harsh conditions on the front lines before performing a cover song.
“Our soldiers and people, especially in Kharkov in the northeast, have suffered tremendous damage,” he told the crowd. “But they need to know, you need to know, the United States is with you, many countries of the world are with you, they are not just for a free Ukraine, but for a free world. And the free world is with you.”
