Guwahati: US Vice President Joseph Biden paid a surpise visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on Monday just days before the first anniversary of Russia’s formal invasion.
He arrived in Kyiv early on Monday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky. The two then went outside into the city’s streets.
During Biden’s visit to Kyiv, air raid sirens sounded throughout the Ukrainian capital, although there were no reports of Russian missile or air strikes. The president of Ukraine, Zelensky claimed that during the visit he and Biden talked about long-range missiles.
According to the White House, Biden would make a statement about the arrival of vital supplies, such as anti-armor systems, air surveillance radars, and artillery ammunition, to help safeguard the Ukrainian people.
“Biden is set to announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade or backfill Russia’s war machine,” it further added.
Moreover, Biden promised Ukraine a new $500 million in military help.
“One year later, Kyiv stands,” Biden declared at Zelensky’s side in Mariinsky Palace, the gilded ceremonial home of the Ukrainian president. “And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands.”
“Thank you so much for coming, Mr. President, at a huge moment for Ukraine,” Zelensky said.
While Zelensky and Biden were touring the St. Michael’s monastery in the heart of Kyiv, the light glinted off the golden domes. Both of the leaders took a stroll along the Wall of Memorial, which honours the more than 4,500 soldiers who have lost their lives since Russia forcibly occupied Crimea in 2014 and ignited the first uprising in eastern Ukraine.
Biden later re-entered his motorcade and drove away from the monastery. In Kiev, the alarms go off virtually every day. The one-year anniversary of the war will be coincided with a massive missile bombardment planned by Russia, Ukrainian officials have warned.
Today, Biden was due to visit Poland. The White House has stated that there are no plans for Biden to enter Ukraine but the proximity to the conflict zone cast some question on whether the visit will actually take place.