Days before the anniversary of Russia’s invasion, U.S. President Joe Biden paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Monday. He said his purpose was to “demonstrate our support for the country’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
Biden pledged $500 million in further US help, including artillery ammo and anti-tank equipment, while speaking at Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In addition, he announced that more sanctions would be imposed by the United States this week against Russia. Nevertheless, he made no mention of the cutting-edge weapons, such as fighter jets, that Zelenskyy is requesting from the United States and its friends in the West.
Kyiv is still standing one year later. Also, Ukraine is still. Democracy endures, according to Biden. The world stands with you, as do the Americans.
In his speech, Biden discussed assembling a coalition of more than 50 nations to support the Ukrainian military as well as joining forces with the world’s most powerful economies to inflict “unprecedented costs” on Russia.
The West was divided and Putin believed Ukraine was weak, according to Biden. He was confident that he could outlive us. He’s not thinking that at the moment, I believe.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Biden for visiting at such a crucial time for Ukraine and expressed excitement about discussing the battlefield situation with the American president.
Throughout Biden’s tour to Ukraine, including when he and Zelenskyy visited a cathedral in the nation’s capital, air raid sirens could be heard in Kyiv and other cities.
A wreath was also placed by Biden and Zelenskyy at a wall erected in memory of the war’s fallen soldiers.
Despite the fact that Biden was already slated to visit the area, the official White House schedule stated that he was not expected to depart Washington until late Monday with Poland as his final destination.
Biden’s voyage to Ukraine, which was cloaked in secrecy, involved a flight from Washington, a layover at a U.S. military facility in Germany, a further aircraft to Poland, and then a 10-hour train ride to Kyiv.
Some information for this story came from Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
