Antony Blinken straps on guitar, plays 'Rockin' in the Free World' in Ukrainian bar as Biden sends billions more in aid

The Biden administration's Secretary of State Antony Blinken rocked on guitar in Ukraine to send a message of "reassurance" to those in the country in a "very difficult time." 

Blinken spoke before playing in the local club, saying, "Your soldiers, your citizens, particularly in the northeast and Kharkiv, are suffering tremendously." 

"But, they need to know, 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 the free world, and the free world is with you too." 

Blinken then gestured to the other player and said, "So maybe we could try something?" The secretary of state and the group then started playing a rendition of Neil Young's "Rockin' in the Free World" for the crowd at the location in Kyiv.  

According to the Kyiv Independent, Blinked was confirmed to have played with the other musicians onstage at the Barman Diktat bar. While playing the guitar he also sang along. Blinken is reportedly outspoken about his passion for music and has stated that it is his "greatest nonpolitical passion." 

He performed a cover of Muddy Waters' "Hoochie Coochie Man" at a State Department event in October 2023 along with a band. Many online took notice of the recording of the May 14 visit to the country online, with many slamming the showing as being out of touch with the average American.  

Congress recently passed a $95 billion package in foreign aid, with over $60 billion going to Ukraine. Recent reports alleging corruption in the country have raised questions about how the funding going to the country is allocated. An additional $400 million in military aid was announced earlier in May.