US President Joe Biden made a surprise trip to Kieve early Monday his first since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine a year ago, and announced new military assistance and more sanctions against Moscow.
As air raid sirens wailed in the capital city, Biden said alongside President Volodymyr Zelensky: „Putin’s war of conquest is failing” and his trip was designed to reaffirm the US’ „unwavering” support for Ukraine.
On the front lines, Zelensky said Sunday Ukrainian forces are „inflicting extremely tangible losses” on Russian troops in the strategic eastern town of Vuhledar.
Moscow responded to US declaring this weekend that Russia has committed crimes against humanity in Ukraine, calling the accusation an „excuse” for Washington to escalate the conflict.
Earlier, Zelensky praised the visit of the US president as „the most important visit in the history of Ukrainian-American relations”.
It came as the anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaches on 24 February
Biden said the United States would stand with Ukraine „for as long as it takes” and praised their „heroic” fighting
He said Ukraine was fighting „for its freedom and freedom for all Europeans, for all people of the free world…
„It emphasizes how much we have already achieved and what historical results we can achieve together with the whole world, with Ukraine, with the United States, with the whole of Europe.
He is due to begin a three-day visit to Poland later today
