Biden Visits Ukraine: Showing Support and Solidarity Amidst War and Political Uncertainty

On Monday, an unexpected and unprecedented visit was made to Ukraine, a country that has been in a state of conflict due to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion almost a year ago. President Joe Biden’s visit was an act of support and solidarity for the democratic nation in its fight for survival.[0] The visit, which included a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, was kept tightly under wraps until Biden’s arrival.[0] The president was one of the last Western leaders to make the journey, which required a 10-hour train ride or a daring flight due to the security risks posed by the war zone.[1]

The Kremlin met Biden’s visit with official silence, as analysts and pundits suggested the US leader’s historic trip was an unwelcome twist ahead of a speech by Vladimir Putin and other state events set to mark the anniversary of the full-scale invasion.[2] During his visit, Biden and Zelenskyy walked the streets of Kyiv, past a religious mural at the St. Michaels Golden-Domed Cathedral and later met at the Ukrainian presidential palace.[3]

On Tuesday, President Biden will speak from Warsaw, Poland about the struggle and the necessity for the United States and its allies to stay devoted to assisting Ukraine.[4] Biden is expected to lay out his view of the war in Ukraine as a battle for democracy and to speak to the costs the war has inflicted on the rest of the world.[5] He will tout the need for both alliances and American leadership on the world stage, and will reiterate his commitment to the security of Ukraine and other Eastern European allies.[5]

The US notified Russia of Biden’s secret visit to Ukraine hours before his departure in an attempt to avoid sparking conflict.[6] Anxiety is rising in Europe as Joe Biden prepares to announce his plans to run for a second term in the White House, as a potential change in the presidency could mean a new policy towards Ukraine.[5] Congressional Republicans have suggested a more extensive evaluation of the U.S. aid, with some conservatives advocating for a decrease in the amount of aid.[7] Despite the slim majorities in Congress, both parties have been supportive of Ukraine during the past year, and this is unlikely to change.[7]

The “Ukrainian question” hangs out there, largely unanswered.[8] Discussions in Washington, Berlin and Kyiv center around which weapons to send and which additional sanctions to impose.[8]

0. “Biden sends an unmistakable message with surprise trip to Kyiv” MSNBC, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/biden-sends-unmistakable-message-surprise-trip-kyiv-rcna71489

1. “‘One of the decisive moments of his presidency’: Biden heads to a troubled Europe” POLITICO, 19 Feb. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/19/biden-ukraine-munich-russia-nato-00083540

2. “Biden’s Ukraine trip undercuts Kremlin narrative of waning support in the west” The Guardian, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/20/biden-ukraine-trip-undercuts-kremlin-narrative-of-waning-support-in-the-west

3. “Biden’s secret visit to Kyiv — in photos” Axios, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.axios.com/2023/02/20/biden-secret-visit-kyiv-ukraine-photos-russia-war

4. “Ukraine war: Biden to frame conflict as battle for democracy” BBC, 21 Feb. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64716380

5. “Biden set for latest symbolic clash with Putin after surprise Ukraine trip” CNN, 21 Feb. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/21/politics/joe-biden-poland-trip/index.html

6. “U.S. alerted Russia to Biden’s Ukraine visit for “deconfliction purposes,” White House says” CBS News, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-ukraine-kyiv-visit-russia-deconfliction-white-house/

7. “Biden announces $500M in new military aid to Ukraine during surprise visit” The Hill, 20 Feb. 2023, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/3866266-biden-announces-500m-in-new-military-aid-to-ukraine-during-surprise-visit/

8. “Joe Biden’s Simple But Hard ‘Ukrainian Question’” POLITICO, 21 Feb. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/02/21/joe-bidens-ukrainian-zelenskyy-00083683