Western defense officials are meeting to coordinate military assistance to Ukraine. Germany has resisted their efforts to persuade the country to export its Leopard 2 tanks, or allow others to do so.
Though Italy's new prime minister vows to continue the country's staunch support for Ukraine, much of the public is critical of Italian weapons deliveries and analysts say the government may waver.
Antony Blinken is on a trip to Kyiv, where he visited a children's hospital and met with U.S. Embassy staff. The U.S. announced nearly $3 billion in aid and weapons for Ukraine and other countries.
Progress has been slow but Ukrainian military officers say U.S.-supplied rockets and training are making a difference from when NPR visited in the spring.