President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday, days before the first anniversary of Russia Ukraine War
The President of the United States (U.S.) – Joe Biden today, i.e., Monday, February 20, 2023, made a surprise visit to Kyiv, where he met the President of Ukraine – Volodymyr Zelenskyy and assured him that the U.S. will continue to support Ukraine.
The highly secretive visit comes at a critical moment in the 12-month conflict, with Russia preparing for an expected spring offensive and Ukraine hoping to soon retake territory.
Taking it to twitter, Biden tweeted,
As we approach the anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, I'm in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 20, 2023
He further tweeted,
One year later, Kyiv stands. Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. America — and the world — stands with Ukraine.
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 20, 2023
Рік потому Київ стоїть. Україна стоїть. Демократія стоїть. Америка – і світ – стоїть з Україною. pic.twitter.com/6i02u3aFgd
Biden also announced a half-billion dollars in new assistance, saying the package would include more military equipment, such as artillery ammunition, more javelins and Howitzers. He also said that the U.S. would impose new sanctions on Moscow later this week.
Biden said that the President of Russia – Vladimir Putin thought that Ukraine is weak and the West is divided and so he will be able to outlast them.
Speaking on the occasion, Biden said, “I thought it was critical that there not be any doubt, none whatsoever, about US support for Ukraine in the war. The Ukrainian people have stepped up in a way that few people ever have in the past.”
Thanking Biden, Zelenskyy tweeted,
Historic. Timely. Brave. I welcomed @POTUS in Kyiv as Russian full-scale aggression approaches its one-year mark. I am thankful to the U.S. for standing with Ukraine and for our strong partnership. We are determined to work together to ensure Ukraine’s victory. pic.twitter.com/EPtH3fLWWD
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 20, 2023
Biden’s public schedule didn’t reflect the trip and White House officials repeatedly said last week that a visit to Ukraine was not in the works.
Prior to this in December 2022, Zelensky himself traveled to Washington to meet Biden in the Oval Office and speak to a joint session of Congress. He invited Biden to visit Kyiv at the same time, saying that he believed it was important for the U.S. leader to see the situation up close. Biden is next scheduled to travel to Poland to meet the President of Poland – Andrzej Duda.
Apart from Biden, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (U.K.) – Rishi Sunak, the Former Prime Minister of the U.K. – Boris Johnson, the President of France – Emmanuel Macron, the Chancellor of Germany – Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister of Canada – Justin Trudeau had already visited Ukraine. The First Lady of the U.S. – Dr. Jill Biden paid a surprise visit to Ukraine on Mother’s Day 2022 to a small city in the far Southwestern corner of Ukraine. She met with the First Lady of Ukraine – Zelenska at a former school that was converted into temporary housing for displaced Ukrainians, including 48 children.
