US president Joe Biden made a shock go to to Kyiv on Monday in a dramatic present of American dedication to Ukraine forward of the one 12 months anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

His go to, shrouded in secrecy owing to safety issues, comes at a pivotal second within the struggle as Ukraine is gearing up for a Russian spring offensive and calling on its allies to hurry up the supply of billions of {dollars} in western weapons.

“I believed it was important that there not be any doubt, none in anyway, about US assist for Ukraine within the struggle,” Biden stated throughout joint remarks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “I’m right here to indicate our unwavering assist for the nation’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Zelenskyy thanked Biden for coming “at an enormous second for Ukraine”.

He stated he and Biden would converse in regards to the battlefield scenario and likewise “in regards to the individuals, about Ukrainians, about Individuals . . . what we’ve to do to cease the struggle, to have success on this struggle . . . and find out how to win this 12 months”.

Movies on social media confirmed Biden strolling with Zelenskyy in Kyiv’s St Michael’s Sq. as air raid sirens blared within the background and sounded all through a lot of the nation. With the backdrop of the gold-domed St Michael’s Cathedral, Biden laid a wreath at a memorial to fallen Ukrainian troopers within the centre of the sq..

Whereas assembly Zelenskyy, Biden introduced $500mn in extra safety help, together with artillery ammunition, extra javelin missiles and howitzers. The bundle didn’t seem to incorporate new capabilities equivalent to fighter jets or longer vary missiles Kyiv has lengthy sought. The US has introduced some $30bn in deadly help since Russia invaded Ukraine final 12 months.

Biden additionally stated the US would impose extra sanctions towards Russian elites and corporations helping Russia’s struggle effort.

Biden’s go to comes forward of a two-day journey to Poland, the place he’ll make a serious speech on the struggle and meet Polish president Andrzej Duda in addition to the leaders of the so-called Bucharest 9 group of japanese European nations.

It is a growing story.