Visiting Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken exhibited a departure from his formal diplomatic demeanor. Dressed casually with an electric guitar in tow, Blinken took to the stage at a Kyiv bar named ‘Diktat’ shortly after expressing solidarity with Ukrainians in the face of Russian aggression. In an unexpected move, Blinken joined a local band and performed a rendition of Neil Young’s anthem ‘Rockin’ in the Free World.’ Prior to his musical performance, Blinken aimed to bolster spirits amid the recent Russian offensive, assuring Ukrainians that they were not alone in their struggle. ‘You need to know, the United States is with you,’ Blinken stated. ‘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 added before taking to the stage. Blinken’s musical performance, however, was met with criticism from some Ukrainian netizens, who found it inappropriate considering the ongoing conflict. Some called Blinken’s actions ‘disgraceful’ and an ’embarrassment’ in light of the daily loss of life in Ukraine. ‘Not the right time, not the right time at all,’ one user commented. ‘So many people die every day because we don’t have enough weapons and enough support from our allies. Therefore, such concerts, I’m sorry, are simply tactless and inappropriate,’ another user stated.
Blinken’s Musical Performance in Kyiv Draws Criticism
