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US President Joe Biden with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Ukrainian Presidential Palace, Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 20.
(Pool)
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2 mins ago
Biden and Zelensky left a Kyiv church together just before the air raid sirens sounded.
US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visit St. Michael's Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 20.
(Photo: Gleb Garanich/Reuters)
Clarissa Ward, CNN's chief international correspondent, described what she saw when US President Joe Biden met his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv early Monday.
Ward explained to CNN's Max Foster and Bianca Nobilo that they both arrived outside the city's St. Michael's Church and entered the building from behind only to leave about five minutes later, just before the sirens began to wail.
The two leaders left the church together, following two soldiers wearing wreaths to a memorial wall, commemorating those who have lost their lives in combat.
Ward added that the two leaders lingered for a moment to pay their respects before embracing, which shows the "rapture" they have, according to her.
16 mins ago
"It's amazing to see you," Biden told Zelensky upon his arrival for a historic visit.
By Kevin Liptak
US President Joe Biden with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Ukrainian Presidential Palace, Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 20.
(Photo: Pool)
Joe Biden met this Monday in Kyiv with President Volodomyr Zelensky, and explained the reasons for his visit to the Ukrainian capital as the war enters its second year.
"I thought it was critical that there be no question, no question at all, about America's support for Ukraine in the war," the US president declared.
"The Ukrainian people have stepped forward as few have in the past."
Biden stressed that there is broad bipartisan support for the Ukrainian cause in Washington, although some Republicans are reluctant to lend more help.
"Despite all the disagreements we have in Congress on some issues, there is significant agreement on support for Ukraine," he said.
"It's not just about freedom in Ukraine... It's about freedom of democracy in general," he added.
Biden arrived in Kyiv at 8 a.m. local time, according to journalists traveling with him inside Ukraine.
"It's good to be back in Kyiv," Biden said upon arrival.
He was received by the US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink.
Biden's entourage arrived at the Mariinsky Palace shortly after 8:30 a.m. local time.
He was met at the entrance by Zelensky and his wife, Olena Zelenska.
"Thank you for coming," Zelensky said, shaking Biden's hand.
"And more importantly, how are the children?"
Biden asked, as he added: "It's amazing to see them."
Asked about the importance of being in Kyiv, Biden noted that it was his eighth visit to the city.
"Increasingly meaningful," Biden said.
He added that the purpose of his visit was to convey to Zelensky that the US is "here to stay."
"We're not leaving," Biden said.
18 minutes ago
Biden announces new sanctions on Russia and says Putin "got it wrong"
US President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 20.
(Photo: Ukrainian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
President Joe Biden said he visited Kyiv to reaffirm America's "unwavering" support for Ukraine, announcing new military aid and a new set of sanctions on the historic trip.
"As the world prepares to mark the first anniversary of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, I am in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm our unwavering and unwavering commitment to Ukraine's democracy, sovereignty and territorial integrity." Biden declared in a statement released by the White House.
"When Putin launched his invasion almost a year ago, he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought it could outlast us. But he was dead wrong," Biden said.
The president confirmed another donation of US military hardware, saying that later this week his government would "announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that try to circumvent or support Russia's war machine."
Biden is scheduled to visit Poland later this week to mark the anniversary of the Russian invasion.
20 minutes ago
Biden announces $500 million aid to Ukraine on a surprise trip
By Kevin Liptak
President Joe Biden announced this Monday, during a surprise visit to Ukraine, the granting of US$ 500 million in additional aid to this country.
Biden, in joint remarks with Ukrainian President Zelensky, said the package would include more military equipment, including artillery ammunition, more javelins and howitzers.
Zelensky said he and Biden discussed "long-range weapons and weapons that can still be supplied to Ukraine even though they haven't been before."
In his speech, Biden spoke of the Ukrainian resistance as the war enters its second year.
"One year later, Kyiv is still standing. And Ukraine is resisting. Democracy is still standing," said Biden, who met with Zelensky and first lady Olena Zelenska at the Kyiv presidential palace.
The historic visit comes just days before the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of the country.
22 mins ago
Biden travels to Ukraine after receiving several invitations from Zelensky
US President Joe Biden (right) walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) upon their arrival for a visit in Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 20.
(Photo: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited US President Joe Biden to visit Kyiv months ago, saying he considered it important for the US leader to take a close look at the situation.
Last week, Zelensky declared that his invitation for Biden to visit Ukraine was still on.
"President Biden and I meet from time to time. He knows that we have invited the President. I think he would be delighted to visit Ukraine if he gets the chance. It would be an important sign of support for our nation," Zelensky declared on February 15.
Zelensky traveled to Washington in December to meet Biden in the Oval Office and address a joint session of Congress, his first trip outside of Ukraine since the war began.
23 minutes ago
Air raid sirens sound in Kyiv and around Ukraine
By Vasco Cotovio
Raid-raid sirens went off across Ukraine on Monday morning, including in the capital Kyiv, the country's authorities and CNN crews on the ground reported.
"Please go to the shelters!" Kyiv authorities said on their official Telegram channel.
24 mins ago
President Biden surprise visits Ukraine for the first time since the start of the Russian invasion
President Joe Biden visited his Ukrainian counterpart Volodomyr Zelensky in Kyiv, Ukraine on February 20, 2023.
US President Joe Biden paid a surprise visit to Ukraine early Monday, his first trip to the country since the Russian invasion began nearly a year ago.
Biden's trip is a show of support for Kyiv that comes at a critical time in the conflict, as Russia prepares for an expected spring offensive.
war in ukraine
