President Joe Biden, center, poses with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and Olena Zelenska, left, spouse of President Zelenskyy, at Mariinsky Palace during an unannounced visit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool)
Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Olena Zelenska
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Joe Biden has made an unannounced visit to Ukraine to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Monday’s visit is a gesture of solidarity that comes days before the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Biden delivered remarks and met with Zelensky at Mariinsky Palace to announce an additional half-billion dollars in U.S. assistance and to reassure Ukraine of American and allied support as the conflict continues. The Democratic U.S. president says, “One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands.” Biden continues: “The Americans stand with you, and the world stands with you.” While Biden is in Ukraine, U.S. surveillance planes are keeping watch over Kyiv from Polish airspace.
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