Biden is expected to visit Poland on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

By Carol E. Lee, Josh Lederman and Kristen Welker -

President Joe Biden is expected to travel to Poland to mark the anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, according to three sources familiar with the trip.

The current plan is for Biden to visit Poland at the end of February, sources told NBC News.

The sources warned that the trip is not final until announced by the White House and that plans could change.

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A spokesman for the National Security Council declined to comment.

It was not immediately clear if other destinations would be added to the trip itinerary.

NBC News first reported last month that Biden was planning a trip to Europe, possibly Poland, to commemorate the first anniversary of the war that began on February 24, 2022.

President Joe Biden descends from the Marine One helicopter on the South Courtyard of the White House, on February 6, 2023. Susan Walsh / AP

The sources said the White House was looking at how Biden could mark the milestone in order to highlight Ukraine's resistance to Russia's brutal military campaign and thus reaffirm America's solidarity with the Ukrainian people, at a time when the war enters a new phase.

Visiting Europe would give Biden a chance to foster greater unity within the US-Europe alliance in person.

Biden spoke about the importance of that unit when he announced on January 25 that the United States would send 31 Abrams tanks to Ukraine.

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“I have been saying this for a long time: the expectation on the part of Russia is that we are going to divide, that we are not going to stay together.

But we are completely, totally united," Biden said.

Since the invasion of Russia, the Biden Administration has committed more than $29.3 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, the Defense Department said last week.