New Delhi: US President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Monday, days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of the country.
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.”
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
The President said that over the last year the United States had built a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific to “help defend Ukraine with unprecedented military, economic, and humanitarian support – and that support will endure”.
The significance of @POTUS visit to Kyiv today is huge. The last time the US presidents visited Ukraine was in 2008. Biden's presence is a massive show of the US support to Ukraine. First photos show him paying respects at the Wall of remembrance of 🇺🇦 soldiers killed by Russia pic.twitter.com/kOXAMuSdxt
— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) February 20, 2023
With air raid sirens running amid a Russian attack on Kyiv, Biden and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walked through the Mykhailivsky monastery.
The last time a US President visited Ukraine was in 2008, journalist Olga Tokariuk tweeted, adding, “Biden’s presence is a massive show of the US support to Ukraine. First photos show him paying respects to the Wall of Remembrance of (Ukrainian) soldiers killed by Russia.”
This is a video from a future history book. The @POTUS and @ZelenskyyUa are walking through Mykhailivsky monastery gate in Kyiv, while the air raid sirens are running amid a Russian attack on Ukrainian capital. pic.twitter.com/i7HUdoP18f
— Sergej Sumlenny (@sumlenny) February 20, 2023
The wall of the Mikhailivsky Golden-Domed Monastery honours the memory of the “Heroes From the Heavenly Hundred” who died nine years ago fighting for the Ukrainian democracy.
Zelenskyy greeted the US President on social media: “Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv! Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians.”
Zelenskyy said he and Biden discussed long-range weapons during the visit.
The White House said Biden would announce more sanctions on Russia and military support for Ukraine, including artillery ammunition, anti-armour systems and air surveillance radars.
Biden’s visit came a day before President Vladimir Putin was due to make a major address, expected to set out Russia’s aims for the second year of the invasion he launched on 24 February, 2022, Reuters reported.
The US President also said: “When 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.”
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