ICYMI – Joe Biden caught everyone by surprise and showed up for a meeting in Kyiv. He popped in at the Ukrainian capital totally unannounced but they didn’t mind. He was also bringing “almost a half-billion dollars in additional assistance.” He needs to show a “display of U.S. support for the country” because China is reportedly getting ready to provide Russia with “lethal aid.”
Joe visits Kyiv
On Monday, February 20, Joe Biden made an unscheduled trip to Kyiv. Shortly after Joe made his shock appearance, Minister of State Antony Blinken announced “$460 million in aid” was headed for Ukraine.
That includes “ammunition for U.S.-provided missile and tank systems, air surveillance radars” and “emergency assistance to keep Ukraine’s energy infrastructure up and running in the face of Russia’s relentless missile and drone attacks.”
While in Kyiv, Joe “met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Mariinsky Palace, the official residence of the president.” He gave their press a big sound bite saying the United States is “here to stay.” As Joe stuck his nose out into the Ukrainian sunshine, “an air-raid siren abruptly went off, signaling that a Russian military jet armed with missiles had taken off from its home territory.”
Joe Biden visited Ukraine before the war zone of East Palestine, Ohio just and hour from DC.
You will never seen a more intentionally insulting move by a US President.
This cannot be understated.
Cravenly cruel. pic.twitter.com/XZVCcBc1Yw
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 20, 2023
It wasn’t a big threat but rattled everyone anyway. Its the first time in history an American leader dropped in to “a war-besieged capital in a region where military groups and mercenaries are not known for following the rules.”
According to national security adviser Jake Sullivan, “There was still risk — and is still risk — in an endeavor like this.” Kiev isn’t exactly a tourist destination.
Washington Post is reporting “among the striking features of the whirlwind visit was Biden’s use of a train that had been set aside for him to get in and out of Ukraine, a necessity given the dangers of traversing Ukrainian airspace.”
On to Poland
Biden arrived in Poland later but his mind was still in Ukraine. “One year later, Kyiv stands. Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. America stands with you and the world stands with you. Kiev has captured a part of my heart.”
In Poland, he’ll meet with President Duda and the leaders of our Eastern Flank Allies, as well as deliver remarks on how the United States will continue to rally the world to support the people of Ukraine.
Biden used his scheduled trip to Poland as an excuse to duck over to Kiev but he still had to pay his respects.
“We have a president going to Ukraine and you have people in Ohio in desperate need of help.”
President Donald Trump hammers Joe Biden for going to Ukraine before East Palestine, Ohio. #Ukraine #OhioBeforeUkraine #OhioChemicalDisaster @OANN pic.twitter.com/aE6lfMLhrf
— Daniel Baldwin (@baldwin_daniel_) February 21, 2023
Not only is Poland a NATO ally, they’ve “been an unwavering ally of Ukraine, providing both security and humanitarian assistance. The country has welcomed millions of Ukrainian refugees who have crossed the border, and provided billions of dollars in weapons and other aid to Zelensky’s government.”
Mateusz Morawiecki, the Polish prime minister, relates separately that his Polish government “is in talks with the Biden administration about increasing U.S. troop levels in his country and establishing a ‘more permanent‘ military presence.”
Joe is also expected to hype up America’s efforts in support of Kiev.
