Blinken: "Robust Package" Of Ukraine Aid To Be Agreed In Vilnius

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, continuing his State Department presser with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, has told reporters that a "robust package" of "political and practical support for Ukraine" can be expected to be announced at the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, July 11-12.

• Blinken says "these are early days it is much too soon to say exactly where [Ukraine's counteroffensive] is going," but the US is "confident Ukraine will continue to have success in what they're trying to achieve - take back its land seized by Russia."
• Blinken adds, the US is "determined to maximize its support for Ukraine so that it can succeed on battlefield."
• On Sweden's NATO bid, Blinken says he believes that Stockholm has addressed Turkey's security concerns "appropriately and effectively," and every NATO member believes "now is the time for Sweden to formally join the alliance."
• Blinken says there is another meeting scheduled for this week between Turkey and Sweden to assess progress and he expects the accession to be formalised in time for the Vilnius Summit.