US President Joe Biden arrived in Kiev on a surprise visit ahead of the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The first images of the visit, released on social media, show the US president together with the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky in the center of Kiev near the cathedral of San Michele.
Streets in central Kiev , near the US embassy, as well as roads from the embassy towards the central railway station were blocked .
In the armored city a procession of American SUVs .
THE MEETING – «As the world prepares to celebrate the first anniversary of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, today I am in Kiev to meet President Zelensky and reaffirm our firm and tireless commitment to democracy, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine'. So US President Joe Biden speaking in the presidential palace in Kiev. “As allies and partners – he continues – we will continue to support your cause , we are always ready to talk to you about what you need, we are on your side, and I am here to support not only the institutions but also ordinary citizens. You have shown that you are heroic and the whole world has seen it .'
"Over the past year, the United States has built a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific to help Ukraine defend itself with unprecedented military, economic and humanitarian support, and that support will last," Biden continued, announcing new sanctions . against Russia and a new aid package "equal to 500 million dollars" .
«Putin launched his invasion almost a year ago, he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could get the better of us. But he was very wrong », the clarification.
" This visit brings us closer to victory ," Zelensky said. "It is the most important visit in the entire history of relations between Ukraine and the United States."
(Unioneonline/vl)