The American president made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Monday.
Walking through the streets of Kyiv with the Ukrainian president, Joe Biden promised to “stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
This visit is part of the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine that cost the lives of several thousand people. Several million Ukrainians also had to take refuge in other countries.
“When (Russian President Vladimir) Putin launched his invasion almost a year ago, he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could survive us. But he was dead wrong,” Biden said, adding, “The cost to Ukraine has been extraordinarily high. The sacrifices have been far too great. … We know there will be difficult days, weeks and years ahead. ”
Volodimyr Zelenskiy welcomed this great gesture by his American counterpart. “This visit of the U.S. president to Ukraine, the first in 15 years, is the most important in the history of relations between Ukraine and the United States,” said Zelenskiy.
Previously announced in Poland, Joe Biden changed his plan to visit Ukraine. A decision to send a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Mr. Biden promises to provide additional support of 500 million dollars in armaments including “artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems and air defense radars, and to strengthen sanctions against Russia,” reported Reuters.