‘Democracy stands’: President Biden lands in Kyiv for surprise visit to war-torn country ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion and announces $500 million of new weapons
- Biden said: ‘One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands.’
- The U.S. president made surprise visit ahead of planned trip to Warsaw, Poland
- BREAKING: More to follow
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Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday, days before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
His visit was shrouded in secrecy and he arrived with a stripped down traveling pool of just two reporters.
He met with President Zelensky at the Mariinsky Palace and announced half a billion dollars in extra assistance, including artillery, ammunition, more Javelins and Howitzers.
He said: ‘One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands.’
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The president was due to leave Washington on Monday evening for a two-day visit to Poland where he was due to meet Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki in Warsaw for discussions over a potential increase in US troops there.
US President Joe Biden is pictured alongside Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv this morning
The war has already cost hundreds of thousands of lives, driven millions from their homes and reduced a string of cities to rubble in southern and eastern Ukraine.
Aid from the U.S., allies and partners is credited with helping dogged Ukrainian resistance defend its territories.
The U.S. alone has sent more than $100 billion of arms and aid to the country, of which The Pentagon spent $62.3 billion in the past year on weapons and ammunition as well as training, logistics, and salaries.
Yet there has been little change on the vast frontline in recent months. Now both sides are readying for offensives expected in the spring.
