Days before the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday.
Days before the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday.Monday marked Biden’s first visit to Ukraine since the war began last February. Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressing U.S. solidarity.
“One year later, Kyiv stands,” Biden said Monday, as he stood alongside Zelenskyy at Mariinsky Palace. “And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. The Americans stand with you, and the world stands with you.”
Zelenskyy also welcomed Biden in his official Telegram channel Monday, noting that the president’s visit “is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians.”
Biden’s visit comes at a crucial time in the ongoing war. For weeks, Ukrainian officials’ have been signaling that Russia may be planning a major new offensive timed around the one-year anniversary of last year’s Feb. 24 invasion. Zelenskyy has also been pressing allies, including the U.S., for more weapons and aid.
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On Monday, Biden also announced half a billion dollars of additional security assistance to Ukraine. He said more details would be released in the coming days.
Here’s a look at Biden’s Monday visit in Kyiv.
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Contributing: Kim Hjelmgaard, USA TODAY. The Associated Press.
