President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, as the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion draws near.
On the trip, which was previously unannounced, he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
And during an appearance with Zelenskyy on Monday, Biden said, “One year ago, the world was literally at the time bracing for the fall of Kyiv. Seems like a lot longer ago than a year.”
“One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. America stands with you, and the world stands with you,” he added.
Watch the video below:
Biden in Kyiv: "One year ago, the world was literally at the time bracing for the fall of Kyiv … perhaps even the end of Ukraine … one year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. America stands with you, and the world stands with you." pic.twitter.com/QJOKkB8eOm
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 20, 2023
In a statement, Biden said of his secretive visit, “As the world prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, I am in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm our unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
“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,” he continued. “I will announce 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 added, “I also look forward to traveling on to Poland to meet President Duda and the leaders of our Eastern Flank Allies, as well as deliver remarks on how the United States will continue to rally the world to support the people of Ukraine and the core values of human rights and dignity in the UN Charter that unite us worldwide.”
The Wall Street Journal noted other U.S. presidents have “made secret voyages to Iraq and Afghanistan under similarly veiled conditions, the security considerations associated with Mr. Biden’s journey were amplified by the lack of an American military presence on the ground.”
Additionally, it noted U.S. officials “gave Russia advance notice that Mr. Biden would be traveling to Kyiv.”
Biden’s visit comes as Russia is beginning a major offensive in the eastern part of Ukraine around the city of Bakhmut.
The Journal also noted, “Russia has brought thousands of fresh troops to Ukraine in recent weeks, though Kyiv has claimed to have repelled advances on multiple axes.”
“But the manpower difference has gradually swung in Russia’s favor since it announced a mobilization in September, and it has allowed it to carve out small gains and place Ukraine in a precarious position in Bakhmut,” it added.
There have been warnings for weeks Russia was preparing to launch a major offensive. And on Feb. 13, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters, “I think the reality [is] that we’re seeing the start already.”
“We see how they are sending in more troops, more weapons, more capabilities, to try to pressure the Ukrainians,” he added.