US president Joe Biden made a shock go to to Kyiv on Monday in a dramatic present of American dedication to Ukraine forward of the one 12 months anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
His go to, shrouded in secrecy owing to safety considerations, comes at a pivotal second within the conflict as Ukraine is gearing up for a Russian spring offensive and calling on its allies to hurry up the supply of billions of {dollars} in western weapons.
“I assumed it was essential that there not be any doubt, none in any way, about US assist for Ukraine within the conflict,” Biden mentioned throughout joint remarks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “I’m right here to indicate our unwavering assist for the nation’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Zelenskyy thanked Biden for coming “at an enormous second for Ukraine”.
He mentioned he and Biden would communicate in regards to the battlefield state of affairs and in addition “in regards to the individuals, about Ukrainians, about People . . . what we’ve got to do to cease the conflict, to have success on this conflict . . . and the way to win this 12 months”.
Movies on social media confirmed Biden strolling with Zelenskyy in Kyiv’s St Michael’s Sq. as air raid sirens blared within the background and sounded all through a lot of the nation. With the backdrop of the gold-domed St Michael’s Cathedral, Biden laid a wreath at a memorial to fallen Ukrainian troopers within the centre of the sq..
Whereas assembly Zelenskyy, Biden introduced $500mn in further safety help, together with artillery ammunition, extra javelin missiles and howitzers. The package deal didn’t seem to incorporate new capabilities corresponding to fighter jets or longer vary missiles Kyiv has lengthy sought. The US has introduced some $30bn in deadly help since Russia invaded Ukraine final 12 months.
Biden additionally mentioned the US would impose further sanctions in opposition to Russian elites and firms helping Russia’s conflict effort.
Biden’s go to comes forward of a two-day journey to Poland, the place he’ll make a serious speech on the conflict and meet Polish president Andrzej Duda in addition to the leaders of the so-called Bucharest 9 group of jap European international locations.
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