By Houssam Mehfara | Staff Writer
US President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine today, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss the ongoing conflict in the Donbas region and to show his support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The visit comes amid increased tensions between Ukraine and Russia, with the conflict taking place for around a year. During the meeting, Biden pledged continued US support for Ukraine and emphasized the importance of a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Donbas. He also announced the United States will provide additional military aid to Ukraine to help strengthen its defenses.
“I’m here to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Biden said in a joint statement with Zelensky. “We stand with Ukraine against Russian aggression and we will continue to support you in your efforts to defend your country.”
The visit was praised by Ukrainian officials and activists, who see it as a sign of the US’s unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. “This visit is a strong signal of support for Ukraine, for its independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and its European aspirations,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in a statement.
Biden’s visit to Ukraine is part of his wider efforts to bolster US alliances and partnerships with countries around the world, particularly in the face of growing challenges from Russia and China. After the meeting, Biden departed for the United States, with hopes of continuing to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.