Skip links

Skip to Content
play

Live

Navigation menu

  • News
    • Middle East
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • US & Canada
    • Latin America
    • Europe
    • Asia Pacific
  • Ukraine war
  • Features
  • Economy
  • Opinion
  • Video
    • Coronavirus
    • Climate Crisis
    • Investigations
    • Interactives
    • In Pictures
    • Science & Technology
    • Sports
    • Podcasts
play

Live

In Pictures

Gallery|Russia-Ukraine war

Joe Biden’s surprise visit to wartime Kyiv

US president meets Ukrainian counterpart in a show of solidarity before the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Biden in Kyiv
US President Joe Biden, right, walks beside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]
Published On 20 Feb 202320 Feb 2023
facebooktwitterwhatsapp

Joe Biden, the president of the United States, has made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, in a show of solidarity just days before the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Speaking alongside President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Mariinskyi Palace, Biden on Monday cited the fears nearly a year ago that Russian forces might swiftly seize the Ukrainian capital.

“One year later, Kyiv stands,” Biden said, jamming his finger for emphasis on his stand decorated with the US and Ukrainian flags. “And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. The Americans stand with you and the world stands with you.”

Since the start of the war, the US has provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in security assistance. In Kyiv, Biden announced an additional $500m package, including shells for howitzers, anti-tank missiles, air surveillance radars and other aid – but no new advanced weaponry.

Zelenskyy said he and Biden spoke about “long-range weapons and the weapons that may still be supplied to Ukraine even though it wasn’t supplied before”, but he did not detail any new commitments.

The two leaders also visited together Saint Michael’s cathedral. Air-raid sirens howled over the capital as they exited the gold-domed building, but Zelenskyy and Biden continued unperturbed, proceeding to lay a wreath and hold a moment of silence at the Wall of Remembrance honouring Ukrainian soldiers.

US President Joe Biden (R) is greeted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (L) during a visit in Kyiv on February 20, 2023. - US President Joe Biden made a surprise trip to Kyiv on February 20, 2023, ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, AFP journalists saw. Biden met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Ukrainian capital on his first visit to the country since the start of the conflict. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
Biden and Zelenskyy embrace. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]
Advertisement
US President Joe Biden (L) walks next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) as he arrives for a visit in Kyiv on February 20, 2023. - US President Joe Biden made a surprise trip to Kyiv on February 20, 2023, ahead of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, AFP journalists saw. Biden met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Ukrainian capital on his first visit to the country since the start of the conflict. (Photo by Dimitar DILKOFF / AFP)
The visit comes at a crucial moment in the war as Biden looks to keep allies unified in their support for Ukraine. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and his wife Olena welcome U.S. President Joe Biden, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 20, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY.
Biden's motorcade arrived at Mariinskyi Palace just after 8:30am local time (06:30 GMT), where he was greeted at the entrance by Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska. [Hadout: Ukrainian Presidency via Reuters]
Biden in Kyiv
Biden said this was his eighth visit to Kyiv, but the first since the war started. [Evan Vucci/AP Photo]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his US counterpart Joe Biden
During his visit, Biden announced an additional $500m in US assistance to Ukraine. [Handout: Ukrainian Presidency via Anadolu]
Biden in Kyiv
The leaders address reporters after their talks. [Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP]
Advertisement
Biden in Kyiv
Biden signs a guestbook at the Mariinskyi Palace. [Handout: Ukrainian Presidency via Reuters]
U.S. President Joe Biden and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy visit to Saint Michael’s cathedral, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich
The two leaders visit Saint Michael’s cathedral in Kyiv. [Gleb Garanich/Reuters]
Biden in Ukraine
Biden and Zelenskiy visit the Wall of Remembrance to pay tribute to killed Ukrainian soldiers. [Gleb Garanich/Reuters]


    • About Us
    • Code of Ethics
    • Terms and Conditions
    • EU/EEA Regulatory Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Cookie Preferences
    • Sitemap
    • Community Guidelines
    • Work for us
    • HR Quality
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
    • Apps
    • Channel Finder
    • TV Schedule
    • Podcasts
    • Submit a Tip
    • Al Jazeera Arabic
    • Al Jazeera English
    • Al Jazeera Investigative Unit
    • Al Jazeera Mubasher
    • Al Jazeera Documentary
    • Al Jazeera Balkans
    • AJ+
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Studies
    • Al Jazeera Media Institute
    • Learn Arabic
    • Al Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human Rights
    • Al Jazeera Forum
    • Al Jazeera Hotel Partners

Follow Al Jazeera English:

  • facebook
  • twitter
  • youtube
  • instagram-colored-outline
  • rss
Al Jazeera Media Network logo
© 2023 Al Jazeera Media Network