President Biden made a shock cease in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday, assembly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and bringing phrase of recent assist because the nation prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
“It’s good to be again in Kyiv,” mentioned Biden, who sported a tie in Ukraine’s colours, blue and yellow. It was Biden’s first journey to the capital metropolis for the reason that conflict started and his eighth go to total. He spent roughly 5 hours in Kyiv earlier than departing town.
Ambassador Bridget Brink greeted him on arrival, and Zelensky and Ukraine’s first woman, Olena Zelenska, welcomed Biden as he arrived at Mariinsky Palace simply after 8:30 a.m. native time.
Because the leaders headed right into a bilateral assembly, Biden famous the explanation behind the unannounced cease: “I assumed it was crucial that there not be any doubt, none in anyway, about U.S. assist for Ukraine within the conflict.”
He famous that whereas some in Congress have referred to as for a deceleration of assist to Ukraine, there’s broad assist for the nation’s trigger. “It’s not nearly freedom in Ukraine … It’s about freedom of democracy at giant.”
In joint remarks with Zelensky, Biden introduced half a billion {dollars} of extra assist to Ukraine, together with navy gear, with extra particulars to be launched within the coming days. The announcement comes as Biden faces mounting stress from Kyiv and at dwelling to observe its latest supply of battle tanks with a provide of F-16 fighter jets.
“Russia’s purpose was to wipe Ukraine off the map,” Biden mentioned. “Putin’s conflict of conquest is failing.”
“Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided … He thought he might outlast us. I don’t suppose he’s pondering that proper now.”
Zelensky thanked Biden for his management and People for his or her assist from the beginning of the conflict.
Biden, left, meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mariinsky Palace throughout an unannounced go to in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. (AP Picture/Evan Vucci, Pool)
The Ukrainian president mentioned dialogue is ongoing on the U.S. sending long-range missiles to Ukraine. Noting the help package deal Biden introduced, Zelensky mentioned the second stood as a “clear sign that Russia’s makes an attempt of relaunch can have no likelihood.”
“This dialog brings us nearer to the victory,” Zelensky mentioned. “At the moment our negotiations had been very fruitful …They had been crucial and essential.”
“Historic. Well timed. Courageous. I welcomed @POTUS in Kyiv as Russian full-scale aggression approaches its one-year mark. I’m grateful to the U.S. for standing with Ukraine and for our sturdy partnership. We’re decided to work collectively to make sure Ukraine’s victory,” Zelensky mentioned afterward Twitter.
Biden informed Zelensky of People’ “unwavering assist for the nation’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“So many have saved the Ukrainian individuals, significantly ladies and kids, of their prayers,” Biden mentioned. “They will’t fathom the concept of the shelling of every little thing from orphanages to colleges to the like. It’s barbaric.”
After nearly two hours on the palace, the leaders traveled a brief distance to St. Michael’s Gold-Domed Cathedral in central Kyiv, the place they took a stroll across the advanced, a logo of Ukrainian resistance.
The cathedral’s sky-blue and golden buildings gave shelter in 2013 to pro-Western protesters underneath a president backed by Russia.
Air raid sirens might be heard all through town as the 2 leaders left the cathedral.
Biden’s journey got here after Nationwide Safety Council spokesman John Kirby mentioned on Sunday that there have been “no plans” for Biden to even step over the border to enter Ukraine on his deliberate journey to Poland this week.
White Home nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan informed reporters Monday morning that the administration gave Russian officers a heads up in regards to the journey earlier than Biden’s departure for Ukraine “for deconfliction functions.”
After leaving Kyiv, Biden was scheduled to attend a bilateral assembly with Polish President Andrzej Duda and ship remarks on international unity in Warsaw.
Vice President Harris mentioned late final week the U.S. had formally decided Russia dedicated crimes towards humanity through the conflict, with preventing set to enter its second yr later this week.
Biden’s go to follows Zelensky’s historic journey to the U.S. in December, when the 2 leaders talked on the White Home and the Ukrainian chief later addressed a joint session of Congress in an impassioned plea for international unity and extra assist to his nation.
Various different prime U.S. figures have traveled to Ukraine for the reason that begin of the conflict, together with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who led a congressional delegation to fulfill with Zelensky in Might, just some months after the invasion.
Biden can be the most recent world chief to make the journey to Ukraine in individual. Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron every made separate journeys to the war-torn nation final yr.
Julia Mueller and Brett Samuels contributed to this creating report
