Biden Sneaks into Kiev
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Russia was notified of the US President’s secret visit to Kiev White House says but refused to elaborate on the details of the message nor Moscow’s response
President Joe Biden arrived secretly into the embattled Ukrainian capital after an hours long train journey from the Polish border, making his first visit since Moscow launched its military operation in the neighbouring state nearly a year ago.
Biden has met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in the Mikhailovsky Cathedral in Kiev. Ukrainian news organizations published photos and video showing Biden and Zelensky walking towards the church flanked by armed security.
Biden said he was meeting with Zelensky to “reaffirm our unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” according to the statement released by the White House.
The US president added that he would announce a new delivery of “critical equipment” for the Ukrainian army, including artillery rounds, anti-tank systems, and radars. “Later this week, we will announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade or backfill Russia’s war machine,” Biden said.
According to Reuters, air raid sirens were heard in Kiev during Biden’s trip, but there were no reports of Russian strikes.
Moscow was informed in advance about US President Joe Biden’s visit to Kiev, according to US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
“Because of the sensitive nature of those communications I won’t get into how they responded or what the precise nature of our message was, but I can confirm that we provided that notification,” Sullivan said on a phone call with journalists. Washington has refused to provide details of the presidential transportation but since the start of the conflict state guests have arrived in Kiev by train due to closure of Ukraine’s airspace.
Biden has reportedly left the Ukrainian capital after pledging half a billion dollars in additional support for the country’s defence against Russia.
The trip takes place as the US and other NATO members are ramping up military aid to Ukraine, having recently pledged the transfer of modern main battle tanks and other additional heavy weapons.
Biden ruled out traveling to Ukraine earlier this month, saying that he only had plans to go to Poland.
Russia sent troops to Ukraine last February, citing the need to protect the people of Donbass and Kiev’s failure to implement the 2014-2015 peace accords. The US has since then been one of Ukraine’s primary backers in the conflict.
Source Reuters/RT
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