Biden Visits Kyiv to Reaffirm US Commitment to Ukraine
US President Joe Biden arrived in Kyiv, Ukraine on Monday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Ukraine's democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. This visit comes just days ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[0]
The president's secret arrival in Kyiv was shrouded in secrecy due to security concerns, but pictures soon surfaced of the two leaders walking together outside St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral.[1] Biden and Zelenskyy then met at Mariinsky Palace for an extended discussion on US support for Ukraine.
During the visit, Biden announced an additional half-billion dollars of assistance to Ukraine in a package including more military equipment.[2] The American leader said later this week the US will announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade or backfill Russia’s war machine.[3]
Biden declared that additional essential supplies, such as artillery rounds, anti-tank weaponry, and aerial surveillance radar, will be made available to secure the safety of the Ukrainian population from aerial assaults.
President Zelensky of Ukraine reported that he and Vice President Biden discussed the potential of providing Ukraine with weapons that had not been previously supplied, though he did not elaborate on any new promises.[4] A high-ranking Ukrainian official based in Kyiv declared that Biden's visit is, in part, to announce the U.S. and the Ukraine Contact Group of 54 countries' “significant new arms deliveries”.
In a statement issued by the White House to accompany the visit, Biden said the US “will announce another delivery of critical equipment, including artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems, and air surveillance radars to help protect the Ukrainian people from aerial bombardments. And that later this week, [the US] will announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade or backfill Russia’s war machine.”
Zelensky said he was “proud” of Biden’s visit and thanked the US for standing with Ukraine “from the very beginning of this tragedy.”[5] He added that Biden’s visit was “so important” to Ukraine, and that it was a “clear signal” that the US will continue standing by Ukraine until its victory over Russia’s war of aggression.[2]
0. “Joe Biden Arrives in Kyiv for Surprise Trip As Air Raid Sirens Blare” Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.newsweek.com/joe-biden-arrives-kyiv-ukraine-surprise-trip-air-raid-sirens-blare-russia-1782353
1. “Biden visits Ukraine ahead of one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion” Axios, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/02/20/biden-surprise-visit-kyiv-ukraine-russia-invasion
2. “President Biden Visits Ukraine—Latest Updates” The Wall Street Journal, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/biden-visits-ukraine
3. “Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 362 of the invasion” The Guardian, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/20/russia-ukraine-war-at-a-glance-what-we-know-on-day-362-of-the-invasion
4. “Joe Biden makes unannounced visit to Ukraine’s Kyiv” Al Jazeera English, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/2/20/us-president-joe-biden-makes-unannounced-visit-to-ukraines-kyiv
5. “Biden in Ukraine for show of support amid concern China could give Putin lethal aid a year into Russia's invasion” CBS News, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-in-ukraine-russia-war-news-today-china-putin-lethal-aid-concern/
