US president Joe Biden made a shock go to to Kyiv on Monday in a present of American dedication forward of the primary anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

On a visit shrouded by secrecy for safety causes after months of planning, the US president introduced $500mn in new army help.

“I’m right here to point out our unwavering help for the nation’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Biden mentioned, vowing to face with Ukraine for “so long as it takes”.

The stopover got here at a pivotal second within the conflict, as western nations focus on how far to go in arming Kyiv and because the 80-year previous president gears up for a attainable re-election marketing campaign.

Ukraine is looking for the speedy supply of billions of {dollars} in western weapons, whereas Russia has elevated assaults and is getting ready a bigger offensive, though its progress has been halting up to now.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Biden for coming at “essentially the most troublesome time” for his nation. “This dialog brings us nearer to victory,” Zelenskyy mentioned at a joint look at Mariinsky Palace, his official residence.

Jake Sullivan, US nationwide safety adviser, mentioned the 2 presidents sought to map out the approaching yr, together with “a standard understanding” of targets “and the way the USA can most successfully help them alongside our allies and companions”.

The go to resembled earlier US presidents’ clandestine wartime journeys to Iraq and Afghanistan — however was extra daring since US troops weren’t on the bottom to assist present help. Sullivan mentioned Washington alerted Russia earlier than Biden’s arrival “for deconfliction functions”.

Movies on social media confirmed Biden strolling with Zelenskyy in Kyiv’s St Michael’s Sq. as air raid sirens blared within the background. With the backdrop of the gold-domed St Michael’s Cathedral, the US president laid a wreath at a memorial to fallen Ukrainian troopers within the centre of the sq..

The photographs of the 2 males come as some Republican lawmakers, together with Home of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy, have questioned the US’s capability to maintain long-term help to Ukraine.

Biden is predicted in coming weeks to request extra funds from Congress to offer deadly help to Ukraine. The transfer may pressure the brand new Republican management of the Home to make clear its stance on the problem, in addition to indicating the way it might play within the 2024 election.

The $500mn of help Biden introduced on Monday contains artillery ammunition, extra javelin missiles and howitzers, including to about $30bn of US deadly help because the invasion on February 24 final yr.

The package deal didn’t seem to incorporate capabilities lengthy sought by Kyiv, resembling fighter jets or longer-range missiles, though Zelenskyy mentioned the 2 presidents had mentioned the longer term provision of such missiles.

“One yr later, Kyiv stands and Ukraine stands, democracy stands,” Biden mentioned, in remarks referring to final yr’s invasion. “The People stand with you and the world stands with you.”

He added that the US would impose new sanctions towards Russian elites and firms aiding Vladimir Putin’s conflict effort.

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The journey to Ukraine is the primary by an American president in almost 15 years, however follows a sequence of visits by different western leaders and members of his personal administration.

Biden left Washington with a small group of aides at 4.15am on Sunday and arrived in Kyiv on Monday at 8am native time after taking an in a single day practice.

Planning for the journey was below means “over a interval of months,” involving a small circle within the US and Ukraine, deputy nationwide safety adviser Jon Finer mentioned. Biden made the ultimate choice to go on Friday after receiving an Oval Workplace briefing from a number of members of his safety cupboard.

The US president left Kyiv on Monday afternoon for Poland, the place he’s due on Tuesday to provide a set piece speech on the battle — on the identical day that Putin is predicted to make his personal state-of-the-nation handle on the conflict.

Republican senator Lindsey Graham, who has been hawkish on help for Ukraine, mentioned he was “happy” Biden had made the journey to Ukraine. However he urged the administration to declare Russia a state sponsor of terror, a transfer US officers oppose for concern it may hinder help supply to Ukraine, in addition to ship F-16 jets to Kyiv.

“This was the fitting sign to ship on the proper time,” Graham mentioned. “Nonetheless, for the visits and statements to matter to their fullest extent, decisive motion should instantly observe.”

Further reporting by Max Seddon in Riga