Hours before President Biden’s trip, U.S. officials informed Russia that he would be in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, the White House National Security Council said on Monday.
On Monday, national security sources offered more information about Biden’s unexpected travel to Ukraine, describing it as extraordinary given the absence of American military infrastructure in the strife-torn country. Jake Sullivan, the national security advisor, was questioned by journalists about whether Washington had informed Moscow that Biden would be visiting Kyiv, a city that had suffered from Russian missile attacks.
Sullivan told reporters on Monday, “We did inform the Russians that President Biden would be heading to Kyiv. “We did so for de-confliction reasons a few hours before his departure.”
Sullivan chose not to go into further detail about how the Russians were informed or whether they replied.
In Kyiv, Ukraine, Biden meets Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In Kyiv, Ukraine, Biden meets Volodymyr Zelenskyy. (AP Photo/Pool by Evan Vucci)
Moscow was forewarned by the US that President Biden would be in Ukraine on Monday.
Moscow was forewarned by the US that President Biden would be in Ukraine on Monday. Attention editors: This image was provided by a third party (Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Kremlin via REUTERS).
The visit, according to Sullivan, was a “affirmation” of the Biden administration’s dedication to helping Ukraine.
He said, “This was not a celebration, and there will probably be gloomy days ahead.
In remarks made while in Ukraine, Biden himself acknowledged the difficulties the country is facing. Even after successful ground offensives from Kyiv’s army over several months, large portions of Ukraine are still under Russian control.
In a statement released on Monday, Vice President Joe Biden said that the United States has “created a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific to assist defend Ukraine with extraordinary military, economic, and humanitarian support – and that commitment will persist.”
As Biden landed in the nation, sirens could be heard in the war-torn Ukraine. The United States has already provided Ukraine with financial aid totaling tens of billions of dollars and military hardware.
On Monday, President Biden traveled to the war-torn nation of Ukraine.
On Monday, President Biden traveled to the war-torn nation of Ukraine. (Getty Images/ED JONES/AFP) )
On an unannounced visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, President Joe Biden, center, poses with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and Olena Zelenska, left, the president’s wife.
On an unannounced visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, President Joe Biden, center, poses with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and Olena Zelenska, left, the president’s wife. (AP Photo/Pool by Evan Vucci)
During Biden and Zelenskyy’s visit, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also unveiled a $5.5 billion aid package for Ukraine.
Prior to Russia stepping up its onslaught once more in recognition of the conflict’s one-year anniversary, Biden’s visit is anticipated. On Friday, February 24, Russia may launch a large barrage of missiles, according to Ukrainian officials.
Supporting Ukraine should be a key priority, according to a number of US legislators, but some have challenged choices to keep providing funding without sufficient monitoring. Although the Biden administration has committed to back Zelenskyy’s government for “as long as it takes,” House Speaker Kevin McCarthy has stated that Ukraine shouldn’t receive a “blank check.”
