He was one of many few Western leaders who had not but traveled to the Ukraine. Until this Monday. The president of the United States, Joe Biden, has visited kyiv without warning to coincide with the primary anniversary of the beginning of the Russian invasion. Five hours with the President of Ukraine, Volodímir Zelenski, stuffed with gestures and loaded with symbolism. A “historic” go to that places Ukraine “nearer to victory”, in response to Zelensky.
The US president arrived within the Ukrainian capital at eight within the morning after a visit stored very secret. Last Friday, after assembly within the Oval Office with members of his nationwide safety group, Biden determined to go forward along with his go to to kyiv.
The journalists who’ve accompanied him on Air Force One from Andrews Base, close to Washington, have been prohibited from taking any gadget with them in the course of the flight, in response to CNN. Once they landed in Poland, the entourage has traveled by prepare to kyiv. The president’s public schedule didn’t replicate the journey, and White House officers insisted final week {that a} go to to Ukraine was not deliberate, one thing he dominated out final April when he additionally visited neighboring Poland.
This has been Biden’s shock go to to Ukraine.
Aid price 500 million {dollars}
Almost a yr later, the US president has needed to point out Washington’s “assist and unwavering dedication to democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity” to Kiev and has introduced 500 million {dollars} in navy assist to Ukraine, which is able to embody artillery ammunition, howitzers and Javelin missiles, a man-portable weapon designed to destroy tanks and different heavy automobiles.
Air raid sirens have sounded within the background and continuously throughout Biden’s keep in kyiv. Both have met on the Mariinsky Palace within the capital, the place they’ve held a joint press convention. “One yr later, Kiev nonetheless stands. Ukraine nonetheless stands and democracy nonetheless stands. America stands by it and the entire world stands by it,” Biden proclaimed.
Ukraine already this month requested the United States to produce ATACMS missiles, which may hit targets virtually 300 kilometers away and will even attain the annexed Crimean peninsula; however Washington has to date refused to ship such weapons. According to Zelensky, the US authorities is contemplating supplying Ukraine with a sort of long-range missile that has not been despatched to kyiv to date.
historic. Timely. Brave. I welcomed @POTUS in Kyiv as Russian full-scale aggression approaches its one-year mark. I’m grateful to the US for standing with Ukraine and for our robust partnership. We are decided to work collectively to make sure Ukraine’s victory. pic.twitter.com/EPtH3fLWWD
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 20, 2023
In addition to this navy assist, Biden introduced that this week he’ll impose new sanctions on Russia with the intention of hitting these Russian elites and firms which can be serving to the Kremlin to keep away from the sanctions imposed by the United States and different international locations for the reason that begin of the struggle.
Both leaders have had time to go to the Cathedral of Saint Michael, a logo of the resistance of Ukraine. In 2013, it served as a refuge for college kids protesting in opposition to then-President Viktor Yanukovych, a Moscow ally. Before leaving, Zelensky and Biden laid a wreath on the foot of a memorial wall honoring Ukrainian troopers who fell within the struggle in opposition to Russia.
Five hours of visiting, till simply over 1:00 p.m. native time when Biden left kyiv. Next vacation spot: Poland, the place on Tuesday he’ll reaffirm his dedication to the international locations on the japanese flank of NATO.