The United States this Monday offered the biggest symbol of political allegiance to Ukraine since the war began. On a risky and historic visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev, US President Joe Biden met his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy this Monday, just four days after the first anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s invasion. The surprise visit, which Moscow had been warned about hours earlier, comes as the Kremlin has already launched its new offensive in various parts of Donbass – an always hot and bloody region – and the Ukrainian executive has warned that Putin is preparing for another major attack prepared. Rocket bombing to coincide with the anniversary of the conflict.
Biden’s arrival, surrounded by extreme security measures, is not only the tangible symbol that Ukraine is already anchored in the West; also that the democratic government continues to support Kiev amid mounting evidence that Moscow is preparing for a long war to exhaust the Ukrainians and their allies. This risk of fatigue continues to grow as funds and weapons are consumed at a rapid pace in Ukraine. For now, Biden has announced a new package of $500 million (€468 million) in military aid to Ukraine in Kiev. The White House informed the Kremlin of Biden’s trip several hours in advance, official sources in Washington confirmed. This gesture of notifying the Russian security authorities of the expulsion is usually performed when important delegations travel to Ukrainian territory.
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“[Rusia] he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided,” Biden said on his social media. “He thought he could outlive us, but he was completely wrong,” added the US President, who has asserted that the US commitment to “the democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine” is unwavering. In a brief speech, Biden praised Ukraine’s courage in the war, promised to stand by the country as long as needed and pledged more ammunition for highly mobile artillery missile systems. “I knew I was coming back [a Kiev]’ noted Biden, who has had a long and complex relationship with Ukraine since he served as vice president in the Obama administration.
As Moscow did during the unprecedented EU-Ukraine summit 10 days ago when leaders of European institutions visited Kiev, Russia has not allowed the US senior delegation to feel the war, despite warnings about the US trip President. Cold but sunny in the morning, with blue skies, as anti-aircraft alarms sound almost every day in many parts of the country; also in the imposing Ukrainian capital, whose center is shielded by security measures and where traffic jams have paralyzed traffic. This Monday also marks the ninth anniversary of the so-called bloody morning when dozens of people died on police charges during the anti-corruption and Europeanist revolution on the Maidan.
With the sound of anti-aircraft alarms in the background – due to a fighter plane taking off from Belarus, according to Ukrainian media – Biden and Zelenski visited together the Cathedral of Saint Michael of the Golden Domes in Kiev and walked together a few meters along the center of Kiev . Escorted by the military, they have approached the memorial wall, which houses the tribute portraits of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers killed in combat since Russia launched the illegal invasion of Crimea in 2014 and fueled the war in Donbass.
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The President of the United States, Joe Biden, will be received by his Ukrainian counterpart Volodimir Zelenski and his wife Olena Zelenska in Kiev this Monday.
The surprise visit comes as the Kremlin has already launched its new offensive at various points in Donbass – a region that is always hot and bloody – and has warned the Ukrainian executive that Putin is preparing another full-scale rocket bombardment to coincide with becomes anniversary of conflict GLEB GARANICH (Portal)
Biden’s arrival, surrounded by extreme security measures, is not only the tangible symbol that Ukraine is already anchored in the West; also that the democratic government continues to support Kiev while the evidence that Moscow is preparing for a long war is growing solid.GLEB GARANICH (Portal)
Zelenski shows Biden a plaque dedicated to the US President. UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SER (EFE)
United States President Joe Biden, along with Zelenski, visits the Memorial Wall this Monday to pay tribute to Ukrainian soldiers.GLEB GARANICH (Portal)
Biden was one of the few Western leaders who had not traveled to Ukraine during the war. Pictured Biden and Zelenski in the Presidential Palace this Monday DPA via Europa Press (DPA via Europa Press)
The US President will visit Poland on Tuesday to meet with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda and leaders of the so-called Bucharest Group. Biden is pictured signing the guest book Evan Vucci (AP)
The President of Ukraine has revealed that he discussed with his counterpart long-range weapons and weapons “that could still be delivered to Ukraine”, without specifying how many. In the picture, Joe Biden (left) and Volodimir Zelensky talk in the Presidential Palace in Kiev. DPA via Europa Press (DPA via Europa Press)
The US President has announced 470 million euros in additional aid to Kiev and announced that further sanctions against Russia will be announced this week. In the picture Biden and Zelenski after the press conference. GLEB GARANICH (Portal)
Biden and Zelenski walk in front of the gold-domed Cathedral of St. Michael Evan Vucci (AP)
Biden and Zelenski embrace after US President’s visit to Kiev.GLEB GARANICH (Portal)
Earlier, first thing in the morning and right after arrival, Zelenski received Biden at the Mariinski Presidential Palace, where they have held a number of bilateral meetings. First in pairs, then with the extended delegations. The talks were “very fruitful,” said the Ukrainian leader, who described the visit as “the most important in US-Ukraine relations.” The meeting, he said, “will certainly have a reflection on the battlefield.” In one of the luxurious and ornate rooms of the Mariinsky Palace, built by Russia’s Empress Elizaveta Petrovna in 1744, Biden has recalled fears from almost a year ago, when many thought Putin would quickly take the capital. “A year later it stays that way,” said the American. “Ukraine is on its feet. democracy remains. Americans are with you and the world is with you,” added Biden, who has warned that while Putin’s war is “missing,” “very difficult days, weeks and years” lie ahead. Biden left Kyiv less than six hours after arriving, but not before also having time to meet with the US diplomatic mission in Ukraine.
The streets of Kiev have been one giant traffic funnel since the early hours of the morning. The traffic jams were not the usual on a Monday, although the capital has regained its pulse in recent months. Something strange was happening, the citizens understood, in front of the streets full of vehicles that hardly moved. Two police officers were stationed at every intersection along Avenida de la Victoria and other major thoroughfares in the city. However, Andrii, a local taxi driver, did not think it was possible that Biden had made it to Kiev or was planning to. “That’s impossible,” he stated in a conversation with the EL PAÍS reporter in the middle of one of these traffic jams. His eyes widened as soon as the news broke. “Well, he came…” he commented with a smile, trying to overcome his disbelief.
Biden’s visit comes a day before Vladimir Putin’s expected State of the Union address, which is expected to be even more belligerent and angry than usual. The US president, who arrived by train from the Polish border after a transatlantic flight lasting about 10 hours, was one of the few Western leaders not to have traveled to Ukraine during the war. The US president is expected to visit Poland on Tuesday to meet with his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda and leaders of the so-called Bucharest Group (nine of NATO’s eastern flank allies). A visit (the second to Poland since the beginning of the invasion) to the eastern country just as the debate over funds and arms for Ukraine is being reactivated. Some Republicans are threatening to cut funding, and with next year’s presidential election looming, Russia’s war in Ukraine will be a key part of the campaign.
Of all Western allies, Washington has provided the Ukrainian army with the most arms support. The United States has pledged around $30 billion in security aid to Ukraine and in recent weeks has agreed to provide several of its modern Abrams 1 tanks, which will join the German Leopard 2, which several European countries have secured through a coalition for the delivery will take time to start. Zelenskyy meanwhile calls for long-range weapons and military fighters.
The delivery of planes may be one of the issues the Ukrainian government is discussing with Biden, but until a few days ago their delivery wasn’t on the table, when Ukraine’s priority is to obtain ammunition and get the planes’ logistics on track get in operation. tanks. Meanwhile, the American has promised another 470 million euros for Ukraine, including artillery ammunition, anti-tank systems and air surveillance radars. “Later this week we will announce additional sanctions against elites and corporations seeking to circumvent sanctions and support the Russian war machine,” Biden added.
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