WORLD NEWS UPI FEB. 20, 2023 / 6:40 AM / UPDATED AT 8:51 AM Biden makes surprise visit to Kyiv ahead of 1-year Ukraine war anniversary

 WORLD NEWS

UPI

FEB. 20, 2023 / 6:40 AM / UPDATED AT 8:51 AM

Biden makes surprise visit to Kyiv ahead of 1-year Ukraine war anniversary

By Clyde Hughes

   

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U.S. President Joe Biden (L) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday. Photo by Ukrainian President Press Office/UPI

U.S. President Joe Biden (L) shakes hands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Monday. Photo by Ukrainian President Press Office/UPI | License Photo

Feb. 20 (UPI) -- U.S. President Joe Biden departed Kyiv on Monday after spending several hours with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, walking around the central portion of the capital and pledging additional support.

It was Biden's first visit to the country since Russia's invasion of Ukraine started nearly one year ago. Biden, Zelensky and their teams discussed future support for Ukraine during the Russian war.

"This conversation brings us closer to victory," Zelensky said, standing next to Biden. "The results of this visit will surely be seen and will surely have repercussions on the battlefield in liberating our territories."

Biden praised Zelensky and Ukraine for their determination to keep from falling to Russia over the past year.

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"Unchecked aggression is a threat to all of us," Biden said. "One year later, Kyiv stands and Ukraine stands. Democracy stands, Americans stand with you and the world stands with you. Kyiv has captured a part of my heart."

Biden's trip marked the first time in modern U.S. history that a president entered a war zone with no active U.S. military presence. Ukrainian authorities had shut down much of central Kyiv for the visit.

"Russian planes were in the air and tanks were rolling across your border," Biden said to Zelensky. "You told me you could hear explosions in the background, I'll never forget that. And the world was about to change. I remember it vividly."

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Biden's trip surprised many, done before his planned trip to NATO ally Poland. He only confirmed the trip early Monday in a White House statement.

"When [Russian President Vladimir] Putin launched his invasion nearly one year ago, he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us. But he was dead wrong," Biden said in the statement.

Zelensky posted a photo of him and Biden shaking hands in Kyiv on Telegram.

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"Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv! Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians," Zelensky said.

Biden said he talked with Zelensky and his administration about new support: "another delivery of critical equipment, including artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems, and air surveillance radars to help protect the Ukrainian people from aerial bombardments."

Biden said more sanctions on Russia are coming, as well.

"We will announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade or backfill Russia's war machine," he said.

Topics    Joseph Biden  Volodymyr Zelensky  Joe Biden