Kyiv: US President Joe Biden hit out at Vladimir Putin on Monday after landing in the Ukrainian capital on a surprise visit, ahead of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of its neighbouring country.
“As we approach the anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, I’m in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelensky and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity,” Biden stated.
“When Putin launched his invasion nearly a year ago, he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us. But he was dead wrong,” Biden tweeted.
“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,” the US President added.
It was on February 24, 2022 that the Russian President ordered “special military operations” in Ukraine.
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed Biden’s visit nearly a year after Russia’s invasion as extremely significant.
“Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv! Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians,” Zelensky was quoted by AFP.
Biden will fly from Kyiv to Warsaw on Tuesday where he will meet Polish President Andrzej Duda, White House said in a statement.
Biden has insisted the US will continue to back Ukraine for “as long as it takes.”
The US have so far provided around $30 billion in security aid for Ukraine to fight Russian troops.
