Biden makes surprise Kyiv visit ahead of Ukraine invasion anniversary

KYIV – US President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on Monday, days before the first anniversary of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Air raid sirens blared across the Ukrainian capital as Mr Biden was there but there were no reports of Russian missile or air strikes.

Mr Biden was spotted outside St Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on a square in central Kyiv where burnt-out Russian tanks have been placed.

He arrived in Kyiv around 8am after a train ride from near Ukraines border with Poland that took almost 10 hours.

Mr Biden had slipped out of Washington without notice early on Sunday on the presidential Air Force One plane. Just a few reporters sworn to secrecy and deprived of their telephones were brought with him along with his staff, US media reported. US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outside St Michaels Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv on Monday. PHOTO: AFP The Ukrainian capital was in a tight security lockdown with traffic halted on some streets.

In a speech, Mr Biden commended Ukraines courage in the war and noted that he had visited Kyiv six times during his time as US vice-president.

I knew I would be back, he said.

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, Mr Biden added, praising Ukrainians for their bravery in resisting Russias invasion.

Kyiv has captured a part of my heart… The cost that Ukraine has had to pay is extraordinarily high. Sacrifices have been far too great.

Wearing a tie striped in the colours of Ukraines blue and yellow flag, the US president promised a further US$500 million (S$670 million) worth of weaponry, including artillery ammunition, anti-armour systems and air defence radars, plus tighter sanctions on Russia.

Mr Biden said the package would be announced on Tuesday, and that Washington would also provide more ammunition for high mobility artillery rocket systems, or Himars, in Ukraines possession. US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv on Monday. PHOTO: AFP Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians, Mr Zelensky said.The two leaders last met in December, when the Ukrainian president travelled to Washington on his first trip abroad since the invasion.

The visit to Kyiv was conducted covertly because of security concerns, with Mr Biden departing Washington without notice after he and his wife had a rare dinner out at a restaurant on Saturday, US media reported.

He was already scheduled to arrive in Polish capital Warsaw on Tuesday for a two-day visit, and White House officials had repeatedly brushed off questions over a possible trip to Ukraine while in Europe. (From left) Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska, US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv on Monday. PHOTO: REUTERS The Biden administration has provided some US$30 billion in security aid since Russian President Vladimir Putin sent Russian forces into Ukraine on Feb 24, 2022, for what Moscow maintains is a special military operation.

Mr Bidens visit came a day before Mr Putin was due to make a major address, expected to set out Russias aims for the second year of the invasion.

The anniversary has taken on more than symbolic significance, becoming what the West views as motivation for the wars deadliest phase as Moscow hurls thousands of conscripts and mercenaries into a winter offensive. US President Joe Biden visiting the Wall of Remembrance in Kyiv, to pay tribute to killed Ukrainian soldiers, on Monday. PHOTO: REUTERS The US president will head to Poland next, where he is expected to meet President Andrzej Duda.

Russia has secured only scant gains so far in assaults in frozen trenches up and down the eastern front in recent weeks.

Kyiv and the West see Russias heightened assault as a push to give Mr Putin victories to tout a year after he launched Europes biggest war since World War II. REUTERS Embed Twitter Tweet URL More On This Topic Biden to send message to Putin in Ukraine war anniversary speech Russia accuses US of inciting Ukraine to escalate war