In a statement, US President Biden said his visit to Kyiv would “reaffirm our unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity”.
“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,” he said.
It goes on to say that Biden and Zelensky would hold an “extended discussion” on US support for Ukraine and that he will announce more “critical equipment, including artillery ammunition, anti-armour systems, and air surveillance radars” to help the Ukrainian defence.
There will also be more sanctions on Russia, the statement added.
It said the “unprecedented military, economic, and humanitarian support” by a “coalition of nations” to help defend Ukraine “will endure”.
Zelensky thanks Biden for visit and weapons
In a televised joint statement, flanked by Biden, Zelensky says that the “democratic world” has to “win this historic fight”.
“It’s the most important visit of the whole history of US-Ukraine relations,” Zelensky says, adding that it “underlines the results we have already achieved”.
“Today our negotiations were very fruitful,” Zelensky says.
He adds that the results of this visit will surely be seen and have a reflection on the battlefield. The US decision to give Abrams tanks to Ukraine earlier in January has already contributed to reinforcing Ukraine’s defence, Zelensky says, adding that he and Biden also talked about long-range weapons.
“I know there will be a very significant package of support to Ukraine… serving a clear signal that Russia’s aggression has no chance,” Zelensky says.
“Ukraine is grateful to you, Mr President” he says to Biden.
Biden’s secret trip to Ukraine was made via train from the border of Poland, the New York Times reports.
The visit to Kyiv remained a secret because of security concerns. Reports also say that that Biden departed Washington without notice after he and his wife Jill had a rare dinner out at a restaurant on Saturday night.
Officials had denied that Biden would visit Ukraine during his scheduled to trip to eastern Europe.
The New York Times says: “Indeed, the White House on Sunday night issued a public schedule for Monday showing the president still in Washington and leaving in the evening for Warsaw, when in fact he was already half a world away.”
Reporting by BBC World service
