<p>Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Kyiv, his office said Sunday.</p>.<p>It was the first meeting between Zelenskyy and US officials since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.</p>.<p>"Today the Ukrainian people are united and strong, and Ukraine-US friendship and partnership are stronger than ever!" Zelensky tweeted Sunday.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/ukraine-proposes-talks-with-russia-near-besieged-mariupol-steel-plant-1103650.html" target="_blank">Ukraine proposes talks with Russia near besieged Mariupol steel plant</a></strong></p>.<p>Presidential aide Oleksiy Arestovych, speaking during an interview on YouTube earlier Sunday, confirmed that the meeting was ongoing.</p>.<p>"Talking to the president. Maybe they can help." he added.</p>.<p>Arestovych repeated Ukraine's appeal for offensive weapons, "because as long as there are no 'offensives', there will be a new Bucha every day", he added, referring to the town where UN officials said they had documented the unlawful killings of around 50 civilians.</p>.<p>"They wouldn't come here if they weren't ready to give (weapons)," he said of the visiting US officials.</p>.<p>On Saturday, Zelenskyy said that he was grateful for the help Washington had provided to Ukraine thus far, even if he wanted heavier, more powerful weapons to use against the Russian forces.</p>.<p>During his YouTube interview, Arestovych said in the Black Sea port of Mariupol, where the remaining Ukrainian forces are surrounded, the defence was "on the brink of collapse".</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest Dh videos here</strong></p>
<p>Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Kyiv, his office said Sunday.</p>.<p>It was the first meeting between Zelenskyy and US officials since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began on February 24.</p>.<p>"Today the Ukrainian people are united and strong, and Ukraine-US friendship and partnership are stronger than ever!" Zelensky tweeted Sunday.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/international/ukraine-proposes-talks-with-russia-near-besieged-mariupol-steel-plant-1103650.html" target="_blank">Ukraine proposes talks with Russia near besieged Mariupol steel plant</a></strong></p>.<p>Presidential aide Oleksiy Arestovych, speaking during an interview on YouTube earlier Sunday, confirmed that the meeting was ongoing.</p>.<p>"Talking to the president. Maybe they can help." he added.</p>.<p>Arestovych repeated Ukraine's appeal for offensive weapons, "because as long as there are no 'offensives', there will be a new Bucha every day", he added, referring to the town where UN officials said they had documented the unlawful killings of around 50 civilians.</p>.<p>"They wouldn't come here if they weren't ready to give (weapons)," he said of the visiting US officials.</p>.<p>On Saturday, Zelenskyy said that he was grateful for the help Washington had provided to Ukraine thus far, even if he wanted heavier, more powerful weapons to use against the Russian forces.</p>.<p>During his YouTube interview, Arestovych said in the Black Sea port of Mariupol, where the remaining Ukrainian forces are surrounded, the defence was "on the brink of collapse".</p>.<p><strong>Check out latest Dh videos here</strong></p>