during-his-unexpected-visit-to-ukraine,-biden-said,-“one-year-later,-kiev-stands.”

It was President Biden’s first trip to Ukraine since Russia’s invasion started almost a year ago when he paid a surprise visit to Kyiv on Monday.

Driving the news: The visit, which comes only days before the war’s anniversary, is a significant demonstration of US support for Ukraine. To meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and “reaffirm our unshakeable and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” Biden said in a statement that he traveled to Kyiv.

The U.S. president declared from Kyiv: “One year later, Kyiv stands. Ukraine is present. Democracy endures.

Biden’s visit, according to Zelensky, was “a significant occasion for Ukraine.”

The larger picture: During his visit, Biden promised an increase in U.S. aid to Ukraine of $500 million.

Zelensky claimed he discussed “long-range weapons and the armaments that might still be provided to Ukraine even though it was not previously supplied” with Biden.

On a journey intended to commemorate the war’s start on February 24, 2022, Biden was already slated to land in Poland on Tuesday morning. Yet due to security concerns, his trip information for the visit to Kiev was kept under wraps.

According to Jake Sullivan, national security adviser for the White House, the government did alert

What they say is this: In a joint speech from Kyiv with Zelensky, Biden vowed to never forget what the Ukrainian president told him just before the invasion started.

Biden added, “You told me you could hear explosions in the background.

“You stated that you were unsure of the time frame for our next conversation. The entire world was practically preparing itself for Kiev’s impending collapse that fateful night one year ago, according to Biden. Maybe even the demise of Ukraine

According to Biden, Moscow wanted to eradicate Ukraine from the globe. “Putin’s conquering campaign is failing.”

Putin has “just been plain wrong,” according to Biden. “The proof is right here in this room, one year later. Together, we are erect here.