GESTURE OF SOLIDARITY!

Kyiv: US President Joe Biden on Monday made a surprise visit to Ukraine’s capital Kyiv. His visit came ahead of the first anniversary of the Russian invasion - it was on February 24 last year that Vladimir Putin launched “special military operations” in Ukraine. Biden said he is in Kyiv to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reaffirm his “unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity”. Biden promised increased arms deliveries for Ukraine and vowed Washington’s “unflagging commitment” in defending Ukraine’s territorial integrity.

BIDEN PLEDGES $500 MILLION IN NEW MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE
Biden delivered remarks at meeting with Zelenskyy at Mariinsky Palace to announce an additional $500 million - including shells for howitzers, anti-tank missiles, air surveillance radars and other aid but no new advanced weaponry.

MAJOR HAPPENINGS

• The US has warned off China from supplying Russia with arms and ammunition
• Russian Prez Vladimir Putin will counter Biden’s messages in Poland today
• China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, is scheduled to visit Moscow for talks and plans over Ukraine war
• This is US President Joe Biden’s 1st Ukraine visit since Russia’s invasion last year
• Beijing lashed out against US claims that China was sending arms to Russia

When Putin launched his invasion nearly one year ago, he thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us. But he was dead wrong. One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. US would stand with Ukraine “as long as it takes.” — Joe Biden, United States President

Joseph Biden, you are most welcome to Kyiv, Ukraine! Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians. — Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukrainian Prez