Blinken vows to stop Putin's influence as Kyiv downs drones.

The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has stated that the US "won't let President Putin impose his will on other nations" and is committed to helping build up Ukraine's military might. Ukraine's army chief said air defenses destroyed 15 cruise missiles and 21 attack drones in the latest wave of Russian air attacks. Meanwhile, a senior Chinese diplomat called for weapons provision to the war in Ukraine to stop to prevent the conflict escalating, after concluding a tour of European capitals intended to position China as a potential mediator. NATO officials are divided between those who want to grant membership to Ukraine in the near term and those who are nervous that such a move could plunge the alliance into a direct conflict with Russia.