Monday, February 20, 2023

Ukraine

Biden visits Ukraine live updates: U.S. president meets Zelensky in Kyiv, pledges $500M in extra assistance - The Washington Post

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Live updates Biden meets with Zelensky in Kyiv, pledges $500 million in extra assistance for Ukraine

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White House details planning, security for Biden’s trip to Kyiv

Biden makes surprise trip to Ukraine ahead of Russian invasion anniversary

President Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Feb. 20 and announced plans to send an additional $500 million in U.S. military assistance to Ukraine. (Video: Naomi Schanen/The Washington Post)

By Missy Ryan

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KYIV, Ukraine — President Biden made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital on Monday and announced $500 million in additional assistance to Ukraine, in a display of U.S. support for the country four days before the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Biden, who showed up in Kyiv on Monday morning, said in a statement that he would announce “another delivery of critical equipment, including artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems, and air surveillance radars” for Ukraine.

Biden met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mariinsky Palace, the official residence of the president, and told reporters that he traveled to Kyiv to show that the United States is “here to stay.”

White House details planning, security for Biden’s trip to Kyiv

Biden makes surprise trip to Ukraine ahead of Russian invasion anniversary

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Biden’s visit was shrouded in secrecy and required months of planning, according to White House officials, who characterized the trip as risky. As Biden and Zelensky arrived at a monastery Tuesday, air raid sirens blared, providing a stark reminder of the war.

The White House notified Russia of Biden’s plans to travel to Kyiv “some hours” before the president’s departure “for deconfliction purposes,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters.

After his trip to Ukraine, Biden is set to visit Poland to discuss Western efforts to help Ukraine resist Russia’s invasion. On Tuesday, he is set to meet with leaders of former Soviet nations and to speak in Warsaw.

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