Antony Blinken joined Ukrainian band 19.99 on stage for a rendition of Neil Young's song.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unexpected appearance at a popular underground cocktail bar and music venue in Kyiv on May 15, 2024.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's Surprise Performance in Kyiv
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, made an unexpected appearance at a popular underground cocktail bar and music venue in Kyiv on May 15, 2024. The visit came as part of a surprise trip to discuss battlefield updates and the importance of newly arrived US aid with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
At Barman Dictat, Blinken joined Ukrainian band 19.99 on stage for a rendition of Neil Young's
Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv and performed with local band 19.99
Many Ukrainians felt it was inappropriate for Blinken to perform given their struggles against Russia and Washington’s tardiness in providing military aid
Bogdan Yaremenko, a Ukrainian lawmaker, criticized Blinken’s performance on Facebook
Oleh Symoroz, a Ukrainian veteran who lost both his legs in the war, called the performance tactless and inappropriate
Accuracy
Blinken played Neil Young’s ’Rockin in the Free World’ during his performance
Deception
(35%)
The article is not highly deceptive, but it does contain some deceptive elements. Firstly, the author quotes a Ukrainian lawmaker's criticism of Blinken's performance without disclosing that the lawmaker is affiliated with Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy's political party. This is an example of selective reporting. Secondly, while the author mentions that Blinken misinterpreted the song lyrics, they do not link to any peer-reviewed studies or reputable sources to support this claim. This is an example of poor sourcing in a science and health article.
Ukrainian lawmaker Bogdan Yaremenko, a member of President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy's political party, criticized Blinken's performance.
Fallacies
(80%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Bogdan Yaremenko and Oleh Symoroz's criticisms of Blinken's performance. However, the author does not explicitly state their own opinion on the matter or make any fallacious arguments based on these quotes.
Many Ukrainians felt it inappropriate that the U.S. emissary was rocking out at all, given that, in their view, Washington’s tardiness is largely to blame for their struggles in the battlefield against Russia.
He wrote on X that it was Not everyone was so down on Blinken’s jam session. Speaking to the BBC on Wednesday, the guitarist of the band 19.99 said it was inspirational to share the stage with Washington’s top diplomat.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Kyiv, Ukraine for the fourth time since the conflict began in 2022
Blinken performed Neil Young’s ‘Rockin’ in the Free World’ with a Kyiv bar band to encourage Ukrainians to keep fighting for peace and freedom
Accuracy
Blinken performed Neil Young’s ‘Rockin in the Free World’ with a Kyiv bar band to encourage Ukrainians to keep fighting for peace and freedom
Blinken spent time engaging with university students, civic leaders, local businesspeople, and bar-goers during his visit
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(75%)
The author commits an appeal to ignorance fallacy when they state 'From my point of view, and generally speaking from the point of view of common Ukrainians, it was not a very appropriate sign to go to the bar to have a small song with our band.' The author is making an assumption about how common Ukrainians feel without providing any evidence or reasoning. Additionally, the author commits an informal fallacy by using loaded language when they describe Blinken's visit as 'inappropriate' and 'not very desirable.'
From my point of view, and generally speaking from the point of view of common Ukrainians, it was not a very appropriate sign to go to the bar to have a small song with our band.
it's something that is not very desirable from the point of view of common Ukrainians.
