The Ukraine visit comes at a crucial moment in the war as Mr Biden looks to keep allies unified in their support for Ukraine as the war is expected to intensify – with both sides preparing for spring offensives.
Mr Zelensky is pressing allies to speed up delivery of pledged weapon systems and is calling on the West to deliver fighter jets to Ukraine — something Mr Biden to date has declined to do.
Mr Biden’s mission with his visit to Kyiv — and then Warsaw — is to underscore that the United States is prepared to stick with Ukraine “as long as it takes” to repel Russian forces even as public opinion polling suggests that US and allied support for providing weaponry and direct economic assistance has started to soften.
1. President Volodymyr Zelensky welcoming US President Joe Biden to Kyiv
Photo issued by the Office of the President of Ukraine of President Volodymyr Zelensky welcoming US President Joe Biden to Kyiv, Ukraine Photo: Office of the President of Ukrai
2. President Biden has made an unannounced visit to Ukraine in a gesture of solidarity days before the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion
US President Joe Biden made a surprise trip to Kyiv on February 20, 2023, ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, AFP journalists saw. Biden met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Ukrainian capital on his first visit to the country since the start of the conflict Photo: Office of the President of Ukrai
3. President Volodymyr Zelensky welcoming US President Joe Biden to Kyiv,
President Biden has made an unannounced visit to Ukraine in a gesture of solidarity days before the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of the country. Photo: Office of the President of Ukrai
4. Biden visits Kyiv and says ‘democracy stands’ in Ukraine ahead of anniversary
The US President delivered remarks and met Mr Zelensky at Mariinsky Palace on Monday to announce an additional £500 million dollars (£416 million) in US assistance and to reassure Ukraine of American and allied support as the conflict continues. Photo: Office of the President of Ukrai