IRIA News

U.S. President Joe Biden arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on February 20 an unannounced wartime visit only a few days before the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Biden was welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as they both made their way to the St Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral on a square in central Kyiv where burnt-out Russian tanks have been placed.

Biden, in his trademark aviator sunglasses, and Zelenskyy, in green military fatigues, walked side-by-side on a bright winter morning as air raid sirens blared around the city. U.S. president roamed around the streets of the besieged city with this host and Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskyy, however, there were no reports of any Russian attack during the time Biden was there.

U.S. President Biden makes a surprise trip to Ukraine. He was spotted outside St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy pic.twitter.com/64Pqft0OGb

— IRIA (@IRIA_Research) February 20, 2023

Biden’s visit was a highly symbolic moment to demonstrate American support and unwavering commitment to Ukraine ahead of the anniversary of the invasion. “One year later, Kyiv stands,” Biden declared standing alongside Zelensky’s side in Mariinsky Palace. “And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. The Americans stand with you, and the world stands with you” he said. “I thought it was critical that there not be any doubt, none whatsoever, about U.S. support for Ukraine in the war,” Biden said.

In Kyiv, Biden declared Putin’s “war of conquest is failing.” In the official released by the White House, Biden said that “Putin launched his invasion nearly one year ago, he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us. But he was dead wrong.”

President Zelenskyy and all Ukrainians remind the world every day what courage is.

They remind us that freedom is priceless.

And worth fighting for.

For as long as it takes. pic.twitter.com/GlBT0Sg9ZL

— President Biden (@POTUS) February 20, 2023

Biden spent over five hours in Kyiv meeting with Zelenskyy to discuss future actions, paying tribute to the country’s deceased soldiers, and visiting with U.S. embassy personnel in the war-hit country.

“Most important visit”

Zelensky thanked Biden for the “unwavering” support Ukraine had received. “This first visit of the President in 15 years is the most important visit in the history of Ukrainian-American relations,” the Ukrainian president said.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Biden’s visit to Ukraine at a crucial time is an “extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians.” Ukraine is preparing for what it expects to be a major new Russian offensive that some military analysts say is already underway.

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

Zelenskyy visited Washington in December 2022, his first trip outside Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.

Additional assistance for Ukraine

The U.S. president announced additional military aid for the Ukrainian forces. He said Washington would provide Kyiv with a new military aid package worth $500 million that would be announced on February 21, 2023. The new aid would include more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS).

Biden announced another delivery of critical equipment, “including artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems, and air surveillance radars to help protect the Ukrainian people from aerial bombardments” will be sent this week. He also added that the U.S. and its western allies are planning to impose “additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade or backfill Russia’s war machine.”

Zelenskyy has been making repeated requests for additional weapons, especially tanks and fighter jets, to counter Russia expected spree of attack in the coming spring.

In his recent trip to Europe and during his speech at the Munich Security Conference, the Ukrainian President repeated his request with substantial success. Several European allies, including Germany, have announced to provide Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine, while the U.S. is providing M1 Abrams tanks to counter Russia expected advances, however, Zelenskyy has failed to acquire fighter jets so far.

This is Biden’s first visit to a war zone as president. Biden took a nearly 10-hour train ride to Kyiv because flying into a war zone is unsafe. After spending some time in the Ukrainian capital, the U.S. president proceeded on to his planned trip to Poland where he would meet President Andrzej Duda and the military leaders of NATO’s Eastern Flank.

Biden meets Zelenskyy in Kyiv. He reaffirms unwavering commitment of the U.S. to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty and territorial integritypic.twitter.com/71Tf8mGu3M

— IRIA (@IRIA_Research) February 20, 2023