Joe Biden surprise in Kyiv

US President Joe Biden has arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kiev for a visit. For security reasons, the trip was not announced. He and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyj spoke in the Marienpalast. In addition, they walked around the city, despite an air raid alarm.

It is Biden’s first visit to Ukraine since Russia attacked the country nearly a year ago. Biden has planned a trip to Poland for tomorrow.

Biden promises further support

Biden wrote on Twitter that he was in Kyiv shortly before the anniversary of “Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine” to “reaffirm the United States’ unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

When Putin launched his invasion almost a year ago, he thought that “Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could take us by surprise. But he was completely wrong.” The price that Ukraine paid was “extraordinarily high. The sacrifices were far too great (…) We know that difficult days, weeks and years lie ahead of us.” Biden also praised the courage of the people of Ukraine.

Additional weapons deliveries promised

Biden pledged additional arms supplies to Ukraine during his visit. According to the White House, these will include artillery ammunition, anti-tank systems and surveillance radars to protect the Ukrainian population against air raids.

In addition, the US President will announce new US sanctions against Russia in Kiev.