Joe Biden – Ukraine has received American support in fending off Russian incursions since more than a year ago.
President Joe Biden’s visit to Kiev on Monday was a sign of the US’s support for Ukraine.
Biden’s covert visit demonstrated his dedication to standing with the country in its battle with Russia.
The news
Biden’s secret trip to Kyiv was of utmost importance, arriving at a crucial time in the invasion.
According to reports, the attackers are preparing for a spring offensive while Ukraine strives to swiftly retake the territory.
During the visit, air raid sirens were heard across Kyiv while Biden and President Volodymyr Zelesnky were seen walking around St. Michael’s Cathedral.
After a lengthy trip from Washington, the US President arrived at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv at 8 am local time.
Zelensky welcomed Biden and thanked him for coming.
The United States will provide Ukraine $500 million in aid during the visit, according to President Joe Biden.
The package includes the following:
- Artillery ammunition
- More javelins
- Howitzers
Moreover, Biden said that the US will sanction Russia once again this week.
“One year later, Kriv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands,” said the US President.
Support
The United States is not the only Western country sending weapons, tanks, and ammunition to Ukraine in an effort to reverse the tide of the war.
President Joe Biden portrays a distinct picture of American support for Zelensky and the Ukraine with his personal visit.
Over the past year, President Vladymyr ZelenskyZelensky has worked to mobilize his nation and ask for aid.
According to US officials, the addition of weaponry will provide Ukraine a tactical edge against Russia and increase Zelensky’s bargaining leverage.
So far, it is unclear what terms the president of Ukraine will be willing to accept during potential peace talks.
Similar to other countries, the US has chosen not to comment on prospective settlement conditions, claiming Zelensky will make the ultimate choice.
High stakes
President Joe Biden’s visit to Kyiv, where he arrived the day before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s scheduled speech to mark the anniversary of the conflict, was symbolic.
Putin’s invasion, according to Biden, was failing in Ukraine.
“Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided,” said Biden as Zelensky stood beside him.
“He thought he could outlast us. I don’t think he’s thinking that right now. He’s just been plain wrong.”
“One year later, the evidence is right here in this room. We stand together.”
President Joe Biden presented an explanation for his journey to the Ukrainian capital as the war approaches its second year at the presidential palace.
“I thought it was critical that there not be any doubt, none whatsoever, about US support for Ukraine in the war,” said Biden.
“The Ukrainian people have stepped up in a way that few people ever have in the past.”
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The US president highlighted the broad, bipartisan support in Washington by saying:
“For all the disagreement we have in our Congress on some issues, there is significant agreement on support for Ukraine.”
“It’s not just about freedom in Ukraine,” he continued. “It’s about freedom of democracy at large.”
According to national security adviser Jake Sullivan, the focus of Biden’s conversation with Zelensky was planning for the next months of conflict.
“The President was very focused on making sure that he made the most of his time on the ground, which he knew was going to be limited,” said Sullivan.
“So he was quite focused on how he was going to approach his conversation with President Zelensky and in part how the two of them were really going to look out over the course of 2023 and try to come to a common understanding of what the objectives are.”
Others visit Ukraine
President Joe Biden had been eager to visit Ukraine after other European leaders had met with Zelensky in Kyiv.
Among the leaders who came to Ukraine were:
- French President Emmanuel Macron
- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
- Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
- British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
- Former British Prime Minister
Anthony Blinken and Lloyd Austin, the respective Secretary of State and Defense Secretary, also traveled to Ukraine to offer their support.
This month, the White House’s top officials, including CIA Director William Burns, paid a visit to the Ukrainian capital.
Moreover, Dr. Jill Biden, Biden’s wife, visited Ukraine on Mother’s Day in 2022.
At a small hamlet in the southwest of the country, she met Zelensky in a school that had been converted into a temporary residence for displaced Ukrainians.
Anniversary
As the anniversary of the conflict on February 24 approaches, President Joe Biden wishes to express his support for Ukraine.
How long the United States and the West can endure is still an unanswered issue.
According to Biden, this was his eighth visit to the city, and each one had been more significant than the last.
Moreover, President Joe Biden made it plain that the goal of his visit was to inform Vladymyr Zelensky of the US’s “here to stay” position.
“We’re not leaving,” said Biden.
Image source: CTV News
