President Joe Biden on Monday made an unannounced go to to Kyiv and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, forward of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s struggle in opposition to Ukraine later this week.
Biden was beforehand scheduled to depart the U.S. for Warsaw, Poland, later Monday.
This marks Biden’s first go to to the nation since Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.
“When [Russian President Vladimir] Putin launched his invasion practically one yr in the past, he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided,” Biden mentioned in a press release launched by the White Home. “He thought he may outlast us. However he was lifeless fallacious.”
Biden added he would announce new sanctions “in opposition to elites and corporations which can be attempting to evade or backfill Russia’s struggle machine.”
Biden spoke alongside Zelenskyy at Mariinsky Palace, pledging half a billion dollars of extra help to Ukraine, together with extra army tools.
The president added that whereas the worldwide group feared Kyiv wouldn't face up to Russia’s assault, Ukrainians have managed to combat on.
“One yr later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands,” Biden mentioned.
The 2 leaders left Mariinsky Palace collectively, after which did a walkabout exterior the gold-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral.
They entered the cathedral for a short while, and once they exited air raid sirens could possibly be heard throughout the capital.
They later laid a wreath on the Wall of Remembrance for the fallen heroes of the struggle.
Zelenskyy shared a photograph on his Telegram account, displaying him and Biden sharing a handshake.
“Your go to is a particularly necessary signal of help for all Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy wrote.
Biden arrived in Kyiv after a prepare journey from Poland’s border, in response to The New York Occasions.
He arrived in Kyiv round 8 a.m. native time, the place he was greeted by Ambassador Bridget Brink, earlier than departing for Mariinsky Palace the place he was welcomed by Zelenskyy and his spouse, Olena Zelenska.
Biden is because of meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday, and in addition ship remarks reiterating U.S. help to Ukraine “for so long as it takes.”
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