“One year later, Kyiv stands.' President Joe Biden paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Monday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a defiant display of solidarity with a country still fighting what he called “a brutal and unjust war.'
KYIV, Ukraine — President Joe Biden paid an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Monday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a defiant display of Western solidarity with a country still fighting what he called “a brutal and unjust war” days before the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
The U.S. president got a taste of the terror that Ukrainians have lived with for close to a year when air raids sirens howled just as he and Zelenskyy wrapped up a visit to the gold-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral. Ukraine has also been pushing for battlefield systems that would allow its forces to strike Russian targets that have been moved back from frontline areas, out of the range of HIMARS missiles that have already been delivered. Zelenskyy said he and Biden spoke about “long-range weapons and the weapons that may still be supplied to Ukraine even though it wasn’t supplied before.” But he did not detail any new commitments.
Biden’s visit was a brazen rebuke to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who had hoped his military would swiftly overrun Kyiv within days. Biden, a Democrat, recalled speaking with Zelenskyy on the night of the invasion, saying, “That dark night one year ago, the world was literally at the time bracing for the fall of Kyiv. Perhaps even the end of Ukraine.”
“He’s counting on us not sticking together,” Biden said. “He thought he could outlast us. I don’t think he’s thinking that right now. God knows what he’s thinking, but I don’t think he’s thinking that. But he’s just been plain wrong. Plain wrong.” It was rare for a U.S. president to travel to a conflict zone where the U.S. or its allies did not have control over the airspace.
Since early morning on Monday many main streets and central blocks in Kyiv were cordoned off without any official explanation. Later people started sharing videos of long motorcades of cars driving along the streets where the access was restricted.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden in Kyiv to show solidarity as Ukraine war nears 1 yearPresident Joe Biden made an unannounced visit Monday to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a gesture of solidarity that comes days before the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of the country.
Read more »
Biden in Ukraine ahead of war anniversary: 'Kyiv stands'U.S. President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Monday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a gesture of solidarity that comes days before the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of the country.
Read more »
Joe Biden visits Ukraine ahead of war anniversary: 'Kyiv stands'U.S. President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a striking gesture of solidarity
Read more »
Biden visits Ukraine ahead of war anniversary: ‘Kyiv stands’ | National NewswatchNational Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views. Make it a daily habit.
Read more »
Joe Biden visits Ukraine ahead of war anniversary: 'Kyiv stands'U.S. President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a striking gesture of solidarity
Read more »
Biden makes surprise visit to Kyiv in show of support ahead of anniversary of Russian invasionU.S. President pledges an additional US$500-million in military aid to Ukraine as well as more sanctions targeting Russia
Read more »