US President Joe Biden left Ukraine after meeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a surprise visit to Kiev this morning. This is reported by Sky News.
“Kiev captured my heart, I knew I would come backBiden tweeted this, posting a photo of his message in the guest book of Ukraine’s presidential palace after meeting President Zelenskyy.
“Biden’s visit to Kiev is historic“. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a virtual briefing from Kiev with a small group of journalists. “The American President wanted not just to say, but to show the world that he stands by Zelenskyy’s side in a free Kiev ” , he stressed.
Joe Biden had a “long job interview” with the Ukrainian President in Kiev, where they discussed the “next months of war” and what Ukraine needs to defend itself against Russian aggression, as well as the process towards a “just and lasting peace”, said US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a virtual briefing from Kiev with a group of journalists.
There Russia was ‘warned in advance’ of Biden’s visit to Kyiv. This was stated by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in a briefing from Kiev with a small group of journalists, stressing that for security reasons he “cannot disclose Moscow’s reaction”.
Zelenskyy: “Putin has no chance of winning the war”
“Biden, having previously received security guarantees, eventually went to Kiev. He pawned many weapons and swore allegiance to the neo-Nazi regime to the grave.” This was written by the Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev on Telegram, noting that the US had warned Moscow about the US President’s visit.
Ukraine, one year after the outbreak of war on the streets and squares of Kiev
The surprise visit – The President of the United States Joe Biden came to Kiev for a surprise visit ahead of the anniversary of the invasion. Pictures circulating on social media show the US President together with the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the center of the Ukrainian capital, near St. Michael’s Cathedral. “You and all Ukrainians, Mr. President, remind the world of the importance of the word courage.” That’s what President Biden said in Kiev. “We will be with you as long as it takes,” he added.
“Putin launched his invasion almost a year ago, he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could defeat us. But he was very wrong.” Biden said in a statement released by the White House and reported by the Guardian. “As the world prepares to mark the first anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, I am in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm our firm and unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“Our negotiations today were very fruitful and important,” said Zelenskyy at a joint press conference with the US President, who was visiting Kiev. “We hope that 2023 will be a year of victory,” he added, praising the “common vision” shared by both nations.
Biden announced that half a billion dollars in additional aid to Ukraine during his visit. CNN reports it. Biden, in joint remarks with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, said the package would include more military equipment, including artillery ammunition, more javelins and howitzers. Zelensky said he and Biden discussed “long-range weapons and the weapons that could still be shipped to Ukraine even if they weren’t shipped before.”
“A year later, Kiev and Ukraine are standing. Democracy resists,” Biden said upon meeting Zelenskyy at the presidential palace in Kyiv. Zelenskyy reports that he spoke to the US President about long-range weapons and new military aid. International media report about it. “President Biden, welcome to Kiev, your visit is an extremely important signal for all Ukrainians.” Ukrainian President Zelensky wrote it on Telegram, posting a photo with Joe Biden.
“Over the past year, the United States has built a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific to help Ukraine defend itself with unprecedented military, economic and humanitarian support, and that support will endure,” Biden said, adding : “As allies and partners, we will continue to support your cause, we are always ready to talk to you about your needs, we are by your side and I am here to serve not only the institutions but also ordinary citizens support. You showed that you are heroic and all the world saw it”.
ANSA agency
First Lady Olena Zelenska also welcomed US President Joe Biden on his surprise visit to Kiev. (HAND)
“This visit brings us closer to victory,” said President Zelenskyy joint press conference with the visit of the US President to Kiev, according to the translation of Zelenskyy’s speech in Ukrainian. “It is the most important visit in the entire history of relations between Ukraine and the United States.” “Biden and his partners must continue to do whatever it takes to help Ukraine win. Biden and the US have kept in constant touch this year and this is an extremely important visit at such a difficult time for Ukraine fighting for the freedom of the world,” Zelenskyy added.
“A year ago we spoke on the phone, Mr. President… You told me that you could hear the explosions in the background. I’ll never forget it. And I asked: What can I do? And they said to me: “bring the leaders together to support Ukraine, ask them to support Ukraine”. Joe Biden in Kiev he remembers the phone call with Zelenskyy a year ago. “A year later, Kiev is standing, Ukraine is standing and the world is behind you,” Biden said at the joint press conference.
“We built an alliance around the world, about 50 countries helped Ukraine to defend itself, we united the world’s democracies,” stressed the US President. Zelensky then said that “Russia has no chance of winning the war“. And Biden added: “Russia wanted to erase Ukraine from the map, but it fails, the Russian army is losing the territories it once occupied, soldiers are fleeing not only from the army but also from Russia itself. We are stayed together, NATO stayed together, Putin didn’t divide us, he thought he could defeat us, but I don’t think he believes it anymore… only God knows what he’s thinking.”
“Russia must take responsibility for its aggression and repay the damage caused” and “we believe that there is no alternative to the creation of a special court. I believe that everyone must support this position,” said the President of Ukraine.
ANSA agency
President Joe Biden said the United States would announce more sanctions against Russia this week. (HAND)
“This week we will see the anniversary of the fight against the Russian aggressor” and “it is very symbolic that this visit” from Biden to Kiev “arrives this week. The results of my December visit” to Washington “and today will be reflected on the battlefield”. That’s what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a press conference with Joe Biden and thanked the American President for his support. “I know that there will be a very important package of support for Ukraine, and it will be a clear signal of it be that Russia’s attempt will not have any result and we will manage to defend our cities with victory,” added the Ukrainian leader.
A hug between Joe Biden and Vlodymyr Zelensky in central Kiev: is one of the images circulating today from the historic meeting of the two presidents in the Ukrainian capital.
The US President came to Ukraine by train from the border with Poland, as reported by the New York Times. The visit to Kiev was kept secret until the last minute for security reasons: Biden left Washington without warning after he and his wife Jill had dinner at a restaurant on Saturday night. Officials had denied that Biden would visit Ukraine during his planned trip to Eastern Europe. “Indeed, the White House has released a public schedule for Monday, Sunday evening showing that the President is still in Washington and is leaving for Warsaw that evening, when in fact he has already traveled halfway around the world,” writes the NYT.
The secrecy surrounding the US President’s trip to Ukraine reflects heightened security concerns about visiting an active war zone, according to CNN. Air Force One departed Joint Base Andrews under cover of darkness at 4:15 a.m. local time Sunday. Journalists on board the aircraft were not allowed to bring their own devices. Biden’s public schedule did not disclose the trip, and White House officials repeatedly ruled out a visit to Ukraine last week, saying it was not planned. Ukraine is also in a war zone over which the US military has no control, making Monday’s visit different from previous trips by the president to Iraq or Afghanistan. Biden is traveling with a relatively small entourage, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Deputy Chief of Staff Jen O’Malley Dillon, and Personal Assistant Annie Tomasini. President Zelenskyy first invited Biden to visit Kiev a year ago when Russian forces were gathering at the border. As recently as last week, Zelenskyy said his invitation to Biden to visit Ukraine remained open, although he acknowledged there were other avenues for discussion. Biden has visited Ukraine six times as vice president. His last visit to Kiev was in January 2017, just days before he left office.
Biden and Zelensky together visited some sort of memorial honoring the fallen, with dozens of photos running along a wall near central Mykhailivska Square in central Kiev. They are photos of soldiers who have died in combat since 2014.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova posted a photo on her Telegram channel showing US President Joe Biden (Catholic) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Jewish) exiting the Orthodox Cathedral of St. Michael. “Who of the two is orthodox?” Is the ironic comment on the picture.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is expected in Warsaw in the afternoon, where she will meet Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. The Italian head of government is also to travel to Kiev soon, as announced yesterday by the Ukrainian president, for a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.