Joe Biden, the president of the United States, gave a unannounced visit to Kyiv, in a show of solidarity just days before the one-year anniversary of Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking alongside President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Mariinskyi Palace, Biden on Monday raised concerns nearly a year ago that Russian forces could quickly capture the Ukrainian capital.
“A year later, Kyiv stands firm,” Biden said, snapping his fingers to emphasize the stand decorated with US and Ukrainian flags. “And Ukraine stands firm. Democracy stands. Americans are on your side and the world is on your side.”
Since the beginning of the war, the United States has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in security assistance. In Kyiv, Biden announced an additional $500 million package, which includes artillery shells, anti-tank missiles, airborne surveillance radar and other aid — but no new advanced weapons.
Zelenskyy said he and Biden talked about “long-range weapons and those that could still be supplied to Ukraine even though they weren’t supplied before,” but he did not detail any new commitments.
The two leaders also visited Saint Michael’s church together. Anti-aircraft sirens wailed across the capital as they exited the gilded domed building, but Zelenskyy and Biden continued unabashedly, advancing to lay wreaths and observe a minute of silence at the Memorial Wall in honor of Ukrainian soldiers.
