On Monday, February 20, US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv, Ukraine for the first time since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. On Twitter, Biden wrote: “As we approach the anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, I'm in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelensky and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
Then, Zelensky greeted Biden: “Historic. Timely. Brave. I welcomed Joe Biden in Kyiv as Russian full-scale aggression approaches its one-year mark. I am thankful to the U.S. for standing with Ukraine and for our strong partnership. We are determined to work together to ensure Ukraine’s victory.”
Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the help the US would bring to Ukraine. The US President said: “I will announce a new delivery of essential equipment, including artillery ammunition, anti-tank systems, and air surveillance radars, to protect the people of Ukraine from aerial bombardment.” 500 million dollars is the amount of money that this new equipment would cost the US. Furthermore, Biden stated that the US would start new sanctions against Russia sometime this week.
In a press conference at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv, on Monday, February 20, Zelensky qualified Biden’s visit as “the most important one in the whole history of Ukraine.” “We fight for our freedom and that of our allies. The American aid will make a difference on the front. Russia has no chance of winning the war,” the Ukraine President added.
Furthermore, during this news conference, Joe Biden recalled a phone call he had with Zelensky last year: “It was a year ago, and it might have been the end of Ukraine. But a year later, Kyiv still holds, Ukraine still holds, and democracy still holds. And the United States stands with you. Ukraine is an important part of my heart.” Joe Biden made it clear to his political counterpart, Zelensky, that the US is and will be an “unwavering” support for Ukraine's liberty and democracy. “Putin got it all wrong and a year later the evidence is in front of us, we are together. You, Mr. President, and all Ukrainians remind the world what the word 'courage' means. You remind us that freedom is priceless. We will be by your side as long as it takes,” Biden added.
Joe Biden is supposed to arrive in Warsaw, Poland on Tuesday, February 21 to discuss with the Poland President, Andrzej Duda to continue to show US support to Ukraine. Next, Biden would meet the Bucharest Nine leaders: Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Bulgaria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Slovakia.
