2/20/23 - Pres. Biden Makes Unannounced Visit To Ukraine

President Joe Biden made a visit to war-torn Ukraine, arriving in Kyiv as the United States signals its ongoing support.

-Today was President Joe Biden's first visit to Ukraine since Russia launched its was a year ago this week.

The President was due to start a three-day visit to Poland.  The visit to Ukraine was kept secret due to security concerns. 

His visit came a day before Russian President Vladimir Putin is due to make an address.  Some expect he will set out Russia's aims for the second year of the invasion that was launched on Feb. 24 last year. 

"Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv!" Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky wrote on his official Telegram channel. "Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians." 

Ukrainian officials have been signaling that Russia may be planning a major new offensive timed for around the one-year anniversary of the war. 

During the visit, Pres. Biden announced half a billion dollars of additional security assistance to Ukraine and said more details would be released in the coming days. The package will include more military equipment, including artillery ammunition, more Javelins, an anti-tank missile system, and Howitzers, a long-range artillery weapon. He did not appear to name any new types of equipment that Ukraine has not received before. Pres. Biden also said additional sanctions on Russia will be announced this week.

The White House had said last week that the President had no plans to cross into Ukraine from neighboring Poland.