Antony Blinken plays Rockin’ in the Free World in Kyiv bar

The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, performed Neil Young's 1989 Rockin' in the Free World at a bar in Kyiv during a visit on Wednesday night.

He was called on stage by the frontman of Ukrainian rock group 19.99, before he played guitar. Young's song was written in 1989 after he was denied an opportunity to perform in the Soviet Union and was released as the Berlin Wall came down. The choice of song underscored Blinken's support for Ukraine as Russia steps up attacks on the city of Kharkiv

Before the performance, in a message to Ukrainians Blinken said: 'So much of the world is with you. And they're fighting, not just for a free Ukraine, but for the free world. And the free world is with you too. So maybe we can try something.' Blinken is known for combining 'music with diplomacy', and launched an initiative in 2021 through the state department to realise that goal

The Guardian on YouTube:

#antonyblinken #rockininthefreeworld #freeworld #ukraine #usa #ukrainewar #russia #politics #guardian

[ThickBanana]

A little unfortunate... Neil Young actually wrote Rockin' in the Free World as a criticism of our actions.

[Paralyzer]

Blinken -182 is an American rock band formed in Kiev ukraine on 15 th may 2024 that consists of US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken

[ahvideplaneet]

Should have played "Fortunate Son" instead.

[satyamevajayate]

It’s a dystopian world. Scary one to be very honest.

[diment]

Ironically, Neil Young wrote this song in 1989 to lampoon the Bush administration, so the joke's on clueless as ever Blinken

[TheNaturalust]

That was the biggest applause Blinken has received in many many months.

[sonr]

He obviously has no sense of irony singing those lyrics

[paulfildes]

There's one more young soldier
who will die for this fool.
Never get to fall in love,
never get to be cool.

[operator]

I wonder if anyone actually showed him the lyrics to that song. You cant make this stuff up...

[Varyazi]

This is the maybe the most grotesquely on-the-nose thing I've ever seen.

[tory]

Is this real or is this a new episode for The Simpsons or South Park? I am shocked!😳

[SI-qpcm]

Reading the comments gives me hope for western culture.

[taizenziggy]

Nero allegedly fiddled while Rome burned. History repeats itself.

[Bagoproductions]

Okay, as a musician, He is playing a left-handed guitar which are not very common at all. Also it looks like a Gibson 335 which is not a cheap guitar at all and it looks brand new. So if he went out there spontaneously and just showed up The chances of that guitar being there for him to play would be about maybe 3% if you're lucky! So did keep bring his own personal guitar and was planning this whole thing to begin with? If so, I didn't know he was going to Ukraine for an open jam! Purely a stunt and putting a feather in his own cap. These are the facts coming from a musician

[lirenzeng]

It is time to start discussing about stopping the wars in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, Myanmar and other conflict zones.

[moonkeele]

Has he actually read the lyrics? The irony is on the same level as David Cameron saying Eton Rifles is one of his favourite songs

[reginaldlagrone]

Rockin’ in the Free World is a song criticizing U.S. involvement in too many wars. Blinken doesn't have a clue.

[NickyM]

.. and he plays a $5000 guitar of course... wow....

[andymat]

Just happens to find a left-handed guitar on stage with a band with right-handed Blatant PR stunt.

[Alegzander]

Should've brought a violin, just saying...