Biden Makes Secret Trip To Ukraine, Appears With Zelensky

 As Ukraine’s one-year anniversary marks, President Joe Biden quietly went to Kyiv Monday.

Biden met Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian President. They walked together through St. Michael’s Cathedral, as air raid sirens sounded in the area. Biden announced that a new package of aid will be available, including more javelins as well as Howitzers, and he also promised to impose new sanctions on Moscow.

“One year later, Kyiv stands,” Biden said. “And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands.”

Biden arrived in Kyiv on Monday at 8 a.m. and arrived at Mariinsky Palace 30 min later.

“Thank you for coming,” Zelensky said, greeting Biden.

The secretive visit occurred just a day before Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a speech to mark the one year anniversary of the war that has claimed the lives and destruction of many Ukrainian cities.

“Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided,” Biden told reporters. “He thought he could outlast us. I don’t think he’s thinking that right now.”

“He’s just been plain wrong,” Biden spoke highly of Putin “One year later, the evidence is right here in this room. We stand here together.”

Biden stated later that the visit was made to highlight U.S. support in Ukraine’s defense.

“I thought it was critical that there not be any doubt, none whatsoever, about US support for Ukraine in the war,” Biden said.

CNN reported that Air Force One had left Joint Base Andrews at 4:05 a.m. ET on Sunday. Journalists who accompanied President Obama were not permitted to bring phones or tablets. Because Ukraine is at war, and the U.S. does not have a military presence there in the region, the trip was kept secret. Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser was among the top aides who accompanied Biden.

Zelensky had visited Biden in Washington in November and had reportedly invited Biden visit Kyiv.