Biden promises financial and military assistance to Kiev during surprise visit to Ukraine
2023.02.20 09:26
Biden promises financial and military assistance to Kiev during surprise visit to Ukraine
By Ray Johnson
Budrigannews.com – During a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday, almost a year to the day after Russia invaded Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden made the promise of $500 million in new military assistance to the country.
Biden also stated that additional sanctions would be announced this week against the Russian elite and businesses attempting to evade sanctions in order to “back the Russian war machine” during a trip of solidarity with Kiev.
He stated that the package of military aid will include air surveillance radars, anti-armour systems, and artillery ammunition “to help protect the Ukrainian people from aerial bombardments.”
“Freedom is irreplaceable. It is worthwhile to fight for as long as necessary. We will be with you for that amount of time, Mr. President. After the talks, Biden told President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, “As long as it takes.”
Biden did not appear to mention fighter jets, which Ukraine has requested from Western allies in order to assist it in repelling the Russian forces.
While Biden, 80, and Zelenskiy walked through central Kyiv, air raid sirens blared, but there were no reports of Russian missile or air strikes.
“Ukraine has had to pay an extraordinarily high price. There have been far too many sacrifices, “Biden told reporters.
Portraying the outing as “memorable”, Ukrainian Unfamiliar Priest Dmytro Kuleba said both Biden and Zelenskiy were satisfied with their discussions and that the visit communicated something specific of resolve to Russia, which he called “the marsh”.
“This visit is the victory of the Ukrainian people and President Zelenskiy… It sends a clear message to the swamp that you are not afraid of anyone!” He stated
Biden, who was in Kyiv for the first time since Russia invaded on February 24, 2022, stated that Washington would support Ukraine for as long as necessary.
“Reaffirm our unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” he stated of his trip.
Washington has provided Ukraine with the vast majority of military support to repel Russian invaders who are better equipped. Kyiv anticipates a significant new Russian offensive in the near future, according to some military analysts.
Zelenskiy stated, “The most important visit in the entire history of Ukraine-U.S. relations is this visit of the U.S. president to Ukraine, the first in 15 years.”
The chief of staff for Zelenskiy published pictures of Biden wearing sunglasses walking alongside Zelenskiy, who was dressed in his signature military attire. Biden wore a tie with yellow and blue stripes.
Biden gave a speech in which he praised Ukraine’s bravery during the war and added, I realized I would be back.”.
Zelenskiy and Biden were at the St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Cathedral on a square in the center of Kyiv, where Russian tanks that had burned down were placed, when the air raid sirens began to sound.
On the day that Ukraine commemorates the deaths of more than 100 people during anti-government protests that led to the overthrow of a president supported by Moscow in 2014, Biden’s trip occurred. These people are now referred to as the “Heavenly Hundred.”
Biden and Zelenskiy visited the cathedral and laid wreaths at the Wall of Memory in memory of Ukrainian soldiers who were killed fighting Russia.
A few primary streets in focal Kyiv were shut off to traffic on Monday morning. While throngs of pedestrians peered over barricades to see who had arrived in the capital, drivers stood in traffic waiting.
