Remembering Biden's surprise trip to war-torn Ukraine that strengthened US resolve

It's been just over a year since Joe Biden made a surprise visit to war-torn Ukraine but his trip is worth remembering since it was the first time an American President visited an active warzone in decades.

Speculation in the media ran wild in the days leading up to a planned visit by Biden to Poland that the U.S. President was going to make a stop in Ukraine so he could show America's solidarity with its embattled allies.

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Biden didn’t disappoint and went as far as to lie about his schedule so that he was able to make an unplanned surprise visit to war-torn Ukraine, a move that inspired the world. 

Biden demonstrated the resolve of the United States to support its Ukrainian ally until they are no longer threatened by Russia. However, American resolve has to assist Ukraine has been faltering because of partisan politics.   

“The trip to Ukraine was shrouded in secrecy,” wrote Voice of America, adding that it “included Biden’s flight from Washington, a stopover at a U.S. military base in Germany, another flight to Poland and then a 10-hour train trip to Kyiv.”

Biden walked the streets of Kyiv with Zelensky, passing by the city's famous St. Michael’s Cathedral. The President even stayed out in the open air as Kyiv's bomb sirens sounded.

The President visited Ukraine’s Wall of Remembrance with Zelensky and took the time to pay his respects to the Ukrainian soldiers who have lost their lives defending their country against Russian aggression. 

Zelensky shared an emotional embrace with Biden at the wall and the visit really set the tone for the rest of the American president’s time in Ukraine’s capital city. 

Sadness for the fallen aside, President Biden took the opportunity to grab a photo with Zelensky and his wife, Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska at Mariinsky Palace. 

Olena had been a rock for the Ukrainian people throughout the war at that point in the war and she also served as Ukraine’s voice abroad. She was allegedly the target of many Russian assassination attempts in the first weeks of the invasion according to BBC News.

Biden and Zelensky held a joint press conference during which the President announced $500 million in aid and promised to impose tougher sanctions on Russia to prevent them from building the advanced weapons they need to continue their war against Ukraine. 

“Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided,” Biden said in a speech during the press conference. “He thought he could outlast us. I don’t think he’s thinking that right now.”

“One year later, Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands,” Biden added. “The Americans stand with you and the world stands with you.”

Biden and Zelensky sat for an in-depth meeting after their press conference and also answered more questions from the press about the war.

Zelensky took some time in his sit down with Biden to thank the President and the American people for the support that they provided Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022.

"I think that it’s a historical moment for our, for our country.” Zelensky said, “and very important. Today we’ll speak detailedly about the situation on the battlefield… and what we have to do to stop the war… and how to win this year.”

Biden’s time in Kyiv was quick, but it had a significant impact at the time. Russian President Vladimir Putin was allegedly furious over Biden’s visit to Kyiv according to The Daily Beast’s Julia Davis.

Biden left Kyiv after less than a day in Ukraine’s capital. The President then moved on to Warsaw, Poland where gave another major speech on the heels of Putin's February 20th address.