President Biden arrived in Ukraine on Monday on an unannounced visit to Kyiv, where he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky ahead of the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of the country — and declared that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s “war of conquest is failing.”
Biden delivered remarks at Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv to announce an additional half-billion dollars in assistance and to reassure Ukraine of US and allied support.
One year later, Kyiv stands, Ukraine stands, Democracy stands, he said. The Americans stand with you and the world stands with you. President Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv Monday to meet with Ukrainian President Zelensky.AFP via Getty Images President Biden and Ukraine’s President Zelenskiy shake hands in from of Saint Michael’s cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine on Feb. 20, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
Biden emphasized that America’s commitment to supporting Ukraine is “not just about freedom in Ukraine its about freedom of democracy at large.
In his speech, Biden took aim at his Russian counterpart and said the strongman has “just been plain wrong” about his calculations before entering the war.
“Putins war of conquest is failing.Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us. I dont think hes thinking that right now,” he said. Biden shakes hands with Zelensky, as the Ukrainian president’s wife, Olena Zelensky, stands besides them at Mariinsky Palace on Feb. 20, 2023.AP
“One year later, the evidence is right here in this room. We stand here together,” he continued.
Biden explained that he made the visit to Kyiv because he “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,” he said.
The commander in chief arrived in the capital city — where he was greeted by US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink — at 1 a.m. ET, saying, Its good to be back in Kyiv.
He noted that the visit is his eighth to the city. President Biden signs a guest book during his meeting with President Zelenskyy at Mariinsky Palace during an unannounced visit in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 20, 2023. AP
Each time more significant, Biden said, adding that he decided to visit this time to make it clear to Zelensky that the US is here to stay.
Were not leaving, Biden said.
Zelensky said he and Biden discussed long-range weapons during the visit.
“Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians,” he told his US counterpart. Previous 1 of 6 Next
Advertisement President Biden is led up the stairs by Ukrainian President Zelensky upon his arrival at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv on Feb. 20, 2023 POOL/AFP via Getty Images The visit comes days before the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. AP Advertisement US President Joe Biden participates in a wreath laying ceremony with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the memorial wall during an unannounced visit, in Kyiv on Feb. 20, 2023. AP Biden and Zelensky paying their respect during a wreath laying ceremony on Feb. 20, 2023. AP Advertisement
The two leaders later went to the gold-domed St. Michaels Church, where they paid their respects to those who lost their lives in the conflict and left shortly before air raid sirens sounded.
Biden is traveling with National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Deputy Chief of Staff Jen O’Malley Dillon and personal aide Annie Tomasini, according to CNN.
Air Force One took off in secret from Joint Base Andrews at 4:15 a.m. ET Sunday after speculation mounted for weeks that Biden would pay a visit to Ukraine around the Feb. 24 anniversary of the Russian invasion. President Biden trip to Ukraine was only announced after he had arrived to the war-torn country. REUTERS
But the White House had insisted that no presidential trip to Ukraine was planned.
The surprise visit also marks an act of defiance against Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had hoped his military would overrun Kyiv in a matter of days.
The White House said Biden would announce more sanctions on Moscow and military support for Ukraine, including artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems and air surveillance radars.
With Post Wires