< p _ngcontent-sc180="" class="news-annotation">US President Joe Biden's visit to Kiev today, February 20, was a historic event. Despite the fact that the meeting was not announced, it is a powerful signal to the whole world. This is the first visit by an American leader to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion.
But not the first in general: how Vice President Joe Biden visited Ukraine 6 times.Channel 24 says, why today's visit of Joe Biden to Ukraine is important and historic.
The first visit of an American president in 15 years
The last time a US President visited Ukraine was 15 years ago. Prior to this, George Bush Jr. came to Kiev in April 2008, when he met with Viktor Yushchenko.
George Bush's meeting with Viktor Yushchenko
Barak Obama has not been to Ukraine even once during his two presidential terms, as well as his successor Donald Trump. In August 1991, George Bush Sr. also came to Kiev.
Joe Biden, as vice president, visited Ukraine 6 times:
- July 2009
- March, June and November 2014
- December 2015
- January 2017.
He met Ukrainian presidents and politicians Viktor Yushchenko, Viktor Yanukovych, Yulia Tymoshenko, Arsen Yatsenyuk and Petro Poroshenko.
Biden's previous visits to Ukraine:
What you need to know about today's “secret” meeting
The fact that the US President will visit Europe was announced in advance. Joe Biden was expected in Poland. However, there was no information about the meeting of the American leader with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky.
According to the press service of the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Joe Biden on the porch of the Mariinsky Palace in the center of the capital, then the leaders talked face to face.
The President of Ukraine noted that he would speak with the US President about the situation at the front, as well as about the Ukrainian people, who “are going through very difficult times today.”
The leaders have already visited the center of Kyiv and honored the memory of the fallen Ukrainian heroes. Note that during this, an air raid alert was announced in the capital.
Joe Biden's visit to Kiev on February 20/Photo OP
“The most important visit of the American president in history”
The fact that today's visit of the American president to Kiev is the most important in history, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said during today's meeting.
This is the most important visit of an American president in the history of relations between Ukraine and the United States, because this period is the most difficult. A period when our state is fighting for its freedom and the freedom of the free world,” Zelensky said.
Biden's visit is indeed a brave act – after all, security risks have not disappeared anywhere, and even an air raid warning sounds at the beginning of the visit.< /p>
Head of the Servant of the People party and MP Olena Shulyak noted that Joe Biden's visit to Kiev is clear evidence of consistent and strong support for Ukraine from our largest ally.
“Exactly at the moment when we need it the most, because Russia is threatening an offensive, for which we are preparing our counteroffensive,” the deputy explained.
Despite the fact that the visit was not announced, the Ukrainians are pleased surprised and touched by the strong support of the Americans. What can not be said about the Russians, they started mass hysteria: the invaders are calling to bomb Kiev, “hit with a nuclear weapon”, launch “Daggers”.
Biden hugged Zelensky on the Alley of Courage/Photo OP
Summary of Joe Biden's visit
- In Kiev, Biden announced a new billion-dollar military aid package, including artillery ammunition, anti-tank systems and air surveillance radars.
- It was also announced that the United States will impose additional sanctions against Russia within a week.
- On Twitter, the American leader noted that he was in Kiev to “confirm unswerving devotion to democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”.
