Biden ends up in war in Kiev – and faces long-range duel with Putin Russian frigate emerges – fear rages in South Africa

Joe Biden arrived in the capital Kyiv on the presidential plane from Washington on Monday morning — just a few days before the first anniversary of the start of Russia’s war of aggression against the neighboring country. Despite the air raid siren, he then walked through the city with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The two heads of state also commemorated the fallen Ukrainians.

This is Biden’s first visit to Ukraine since the outbreak of war. The US president praised the will of the people to defend themselves.

According to American journalists who had traveled with him, he added: “The Americans are behind you and the world is beside you.”

Biden addressed Russian President Vladimir Putin in a joint statement with Zelenskyj at the Marien Palace. “Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West had different opinions,” reported American reporters who had traveled with him. “He was just completely wrong. A year later, you can see the proof right here in this room. We stand together.”

Biden’s message: We’re here for you

During his meeting with Zelensky, Biden announced another half-billion dollar aid package for Kiev, according to a small group of reporters who traveled with him. Details should follow. The US president also announced further sanctions against Russia in the course of the week. Here, too, he initially gave no details. At the same time, EU foreign ministers in Brussels discussed new punitive measures.

Zelenskyi described Biden’s visit as an “extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians”. He also said, “This conversation brings us closer to victory.”

Numerous heads of state and government, as well as ministers from other countries, had already visited Ukraine in the past few months since the start of the war – sometimes several times. The US had also sent members of the government to Ukraine, including Biden’s wife Jill. Biden, on the other hand, has never been to Ukraine as president.

The fact that he is now planning his visit just before the first anniversary is highly symbolic – as a sign of support for the most important and powerful ally. Biden and his administration have pledged to support Ukraine in the long term — for as long as it takes. US government headquarters also issued this as the core message for Biden’s visit to Poland. Now he personally delivered them to Kiev.

The Americans had rapidly launched several packages of weapons and ammunition worth billions in recent months. According to the Pentagon, they have provided or pledged nearly $30 billion in military aid since the start of the war. This also includes various heavy weapon systems.

A long-range duel between Biden and Putin

Biden plans talks in the Polish capital Warsaw on Tuesday and Wednesday. A meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda and an early evening speech in front of the Warsaw Royal Castle are planned, according to the White House. Biden also plans to meet with representatives from other Eastern European NATO countries on Wednesday.

For his speech in Warsaw, Biden chose both the place and the time: he will speak at the Royal Castle, a symbol of the city that was largely destroyed by Nazi Germany in World War II and later rebuilt. At about the same time as Biden’s speech, Russian President Vladimir Putin also wants to address the Russian nation with a speech.

The two political opponents are engaged in a kind of duel from a distance.

The US president last visited Poland at the end of March 2022, about a month after the outbreak of war in Ukraine. Biden had already delivered a well-received speech in front of the Royal Castle in Warsaw. In it, he secured the support of Ukraine and sharply attacked Putin. At the time, a statement by Biden about Putin caused a stir, which was later downplayed by the White House:

US government headquarters later clarified that Biden had not called for Putin’s overthrow.

(yam/sda/dpa)