US President Joe Biden on Monday made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital, just days ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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"Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv! Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians," Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on social media.
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Air raid sirens sounded across Kyiv shortly before the news was confirmed.
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The visit, which had not been announced in advance for security reasons, was Biden's first trip to Ukraine since Moscow launched the war.
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Ukrainian lawmaker Oleksiy Goncharenko said Biden was meeting with Zelenskyy as air raid sirens were heard in the capital.
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The two leaders visited the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine in Kyiv.
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"As the world prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine, I am in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelenskyy and reaffirm our unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine's democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," Biden said in a statement.
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The White House said Biden would announce the delivery of further equipment to Ukraine, including artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems and air surveillance radars. Biden said the new military aid package was worth $500 million (€468 million)
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Washington will later this week announce more sanctions against individuals and companies linked to "Russia's war machine," the White House said.
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Biden also delivered remarks at Kyiv's Mariinsky Palace. "One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands,'' Biden said.
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The White House had announced earlier this month that Biden would travel to Poland on February 20 for a two-day visit, raising speculation that the US president would also visit Ukraine.
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Poland is seeking more US troop presence in its territory.
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On Sunday, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said he and Biden would discuss the possibility of increasing US troop presence in Poland and making it more permanent.
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"We are in the process of discussion with President Biden's administration about making their [troop] presence more permanent and increasing them," Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki told broadcaster CBS.
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Last June, Biden had said the US would set up a new permanent army headquarters in Poland in response to Russian threats.
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Biden is due to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda and top Eastern European officials.
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