The United States President, Joe Biden has visited the capital city of Ukraine, Kyvi in preparation to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2023.
In a statement released from the White House on Monday, the President said his visit to meet with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reaffirm US unwavering, unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
According to him, “I am in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm our unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
“When Putin launched his invasion nearly one year ago, he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us. But he was dead wrong.
Today, in Kyiv, I am meeting with President Zelenskyy and his team for an extended discussion on our support for Ukraine”, US President said.
He said he will announce another delivery of critical equipment which includes artillery ammunition, anti- armor systems, and air surveillance radars to help protect the Ukrainian people from aerial bombardments.
“And I will share that later this week, we will announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade or backfill Russia’s war machine.
“Over the last year, the United States has built a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific to help defend Ukraine with unprecedented military, economic, and humanitarian support and that support will endure” he added.
While looking forward to traveling on to Poland to meet President Duda and the leaders of the US Eastern Flank Allies.
“As well as deliver remarks on how the United States will continue to rally the world to support the people of Ukraine and the core values of human rights and dignity in the UN Charter that unite us worldwide”, Biden said.
Following the call-up late last year of 300,000 men, Russian forces have resulted now to assaulting a number of areas in Ukraine’s east as reported. Though the Russians are suffering heavy casualties, Moscow is slowly gaining territory.
Mr. Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have repeatedly appealed to the U.S. and other allies for more heavy weaponry especially jet fighters and long-range missiles which he says can help drive the Russians back.
Military analysts have suggested that Russian President, Vladimir Putin may try to wear down the West by keeping the conflict going until support from Ukraine’s allies erodes and Western powers try to push Kyiv to the negotiating table.