- President Joe Biden visited Kyiv for the first time since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost a year ago.
- By visiting in person, Biden is offering a singular image of American support for Zelensky.
- Biden announced a half-billion dollars in assistance to Ukraine, saying the package would include more military equipment
President Joe Biden visited Kyiv for the first time since Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine almost a year ago, at a critical moment in the 12-month conflict, with Russia preparing for an expected spring offensive and Ukraine hoping to soon retake territory.
According to reporters Biden was greeted at the entrance by Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska. Uniformed Ukrainian military officers lined the street just outside. Biden and Zelensky walked over and together laid a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance for the fallen heroes of the Russian Ukrainian war, as a military salute played and the two presidents stared down in silence for a few moments.
Biden’s visit comes at a time when The United States and other western nations have been rushing arms, tanks and ammunition to Ukraine in the hopes of changing the trajectory of the war. By visiting in person, Biden is offering a singular image of American support for Zelensky, who has spent the past year attempting to rally the world behind his home nation and appealing for greater levels of assistance.
In joint remarks alongside Zelensky, Biden announced a half-billion dollars in assistance to Ukraine, saying the package would include more military equipment, including artillery ammunition, more javelins and Howitzers, and vowed Washington’s “unflagging commitment” in defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity. “I will announce another delivery of critical equipment, including artillery ammunition, anti-armour systems, and air surveillance radars to help protect the Ukrainian people from aerial bombardments,” he was quoted as saying in a White House statement.
Zelensky hailed Biden’s visit as a key sign of support. “Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv! Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians,” Zelensky said on Telegram in English. The visit came as Beijing lashed out against US claims that China was considering sending arms to Russia to assist in its war in Ukraine. “It is the United States and not China that is endlessly shipping weapons to the battlefield,” China’s foreign ministry spokesman said when asked about the US claims.
“We urge the United States to earnestly reflect on its own actions, and do more to alleviate the situation, promote peace and dialogue, and stop shifting blame and spreading false information,” he told a regular briefing.
The EU’s foreign policy chief also warned China against providing Russia with weapons for the war in Ukraine, saying: “for us, it would be a red line in our relationship.”
