Biden makes shock journey to Ukraine forward of Russian invasion anniversary
KYIV, Ukraine — President Biden made a dramatic, unannounced go to to Kyiv on Monday, in a show of robust American assist for Ukraine simply 4 days earlier than the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
The high-risk go to, to a Ukrainian capital that has been below risk of missile assaults, alerts continued dedication from the United States, the biggest monetary and navy backer of Ukraine’s effort to repel Russian invaders from its territory.
Biden was noticed outdoors St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Ukrainian capital was in a safety lockdown with automotive visitors halted and even pedestrians blocked from sure streets. Shortly afterward, an air raid siren went off within the metropolis.
Biden has insisted the United States will proceed to again Ukraine for “as long as it takes” regardless of flagging assist among the many American public and no near-term prospect of peace talks to finish the battle.
The Biden administration has supplied some $30 billion in safety help since President Vladimir Putin despatched Russian forces into Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, initiating the biggest floor warfare in Europe since World War II — one which already has price his nation and Ukraine tons of of hundreds of casualties.
Under Biden’s management, the U.S. and its NATO allies have step by step increasing the array of weaponry they’ve pledged to incorporate heavy tanks.
While different world leaders have visited Kyiv to fulfill with Zelensky over the previous yr, and tour the war-scarred metropolis, Biden has stayed away as a consequence of safety considerations and fears about the potential of battle between the world’s two largest nuclear powers, sending senior aides in his place. First girl Jill Biden made a shock go to to Western Ukraine on Mother’s Day in May.
His go to was shrouded in secrecy. Biden was as a consequence of depart for an introduced go to to Poland from Washington on Monday night.
In an announcement issued by the White House, Biden mentioned: “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 Zelensky 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.”
War in Ukraine: What it’s good to know
The newest: Fighting in jap Ukraine continues as Russian forces make minor beneficial properties of their try and encircle the town of Bakhmut. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has requested Western allies for fighter jets as Russia mounts a spring offensive. Read the most recent right here.
The struggle: Russia has been concentrating on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure with missile and drone strikes since October, typically knocking out electrical energy, heating and water within the nation. Despite heavy combating, no aspect has made vital beneficial properties for months. Western allies agreed to a brand new wave of elaborate weapons, together with Leopard tanks, hoping it could change the steadiness on the battlefield.
A yr of warfare: Russian President Vladimir Putin’s warfare has set off a historic exodus of his personal folks, with knowledge displaying that not less than 500,000, and maybe practically 1 million, have left Russia for the reason that begin of the battle in Ukraine. Despite that and intensive sanctions, the Russian economic system has remained extra resilient than many anticipated. There are indicators, nevertheless, that Putin’s luck could also be beginning to run out.
Photos: Washington Post photographers have been on the bottom from the start of the warfare — right here’s a few of their strongest work.
How you possibly can assist: Here are methods these within the United States can assist the Ukrainian folks in addition to what folks all over the world have been donating.
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