US President Joe Biden On Surprise Visit To Kyiv, Reassures 'Unwavering Commitment' To Ukraine Democracy

The visit of Joe Biden comes after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the US in December of 2022.

US President Joe Biden (R) is greeted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) during a visit to Kyiv on February 20, 2023.

Source : AFP

Right ahead of the Russia-Ukraine conflict anniversary, US President Joe Biden is on a surprise visit to Kyiv, Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko confirmed on Monday, February 20. According to reports, Biden's itinerary had suggested he would be visiting Poland, but he landed in the Ukraine capital. Biden and Zelensky visited the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine in the capital.

During his unannounced visit to Kyiv, Joe Biden reinforced his faith in Ukraine's cause and reassured "unwavering commitment" to its democracy.

"When 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. Over the last year, the United States has built a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific to help defend Ukraine with unprecedented military, economic, and humanitarian support – and that support will endure," the US president tweeted.

As we approach the anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, I'm in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

— President Biden (@POTUS) February 20, 2023

The visit of Joe Biden comes after Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky visited the United States in December of 2022. During his short visit to the US, Zelensky addressed the US Congress and pleaded for extended support against Russia's aggression.

READ | Biden Announces $500 Million Aid Package And More Arms Supplies To Ukraine During Surprise Visit

Another group of US senators met the Ukrainian President and other officials in Kyiv in January of 2023. US senators Lindsey Graham, Richard Blumenthal and Sheldon Whitehouse met Zelensky in the presidential palace and received a briefing on the country's security situation, according to the Ukrainian president’s office. 

After reports of escalation by Russia on Ukraine for months, Moscow on February 24, 2022, openly declared advancement in the Ukranian territory.