Ukraine Russia war latest news: Biden makes surprise check out to Kyiv ahead of war anniversary

“As the world prepares to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, I am in Kyiv today to meet with President Zelensky and 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.

“Today, in Kyiv, I am meeting with President Zelensky and his team for an extended discussion on our support for Ukraine. I will announce another delivery of critical equipment, including artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems, and air surveillance radars to help protect the Ukrainian people from aerial bombardments. And I will share that later this week, we will announce additional sanctions against elites and companies that are trying to evade or backfill Russia’s war machine. Over the last year, the United States has built a coalition of nations from the Atlantic to the Pacific to help defend Ukraine with unprecedented military, economic, and humanitarian support – and that support will endure.

“I also look forward to traveling on to Poland to meet 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 and the core values of human rights and dignity in the UN Charter that unite us worldwide.

US president Joe Biden and Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky walk next to Saint Michael’s cathedral, Kyiv, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

Our US team have more on president Joe Biden’s surprise arrival in Kyiv…

Joe Biden arrived in Kyiv at 8am local time, donning a blue suit with a blue and yellow striped tie.

“It’s good to be back in Kyiv,” Mr Biden stated as he was welcomed upon arrival by ambassador Bridget Brink.

The governmental motorcade got to Mariinsky Palace simply after 8.30am, where he was welcomed at the entryway outside by Volodymyr Zelensky and his better half, Olena Zelenska.

Mr Zelensky was worn his signature black sweatshirt with dark green trousers and beige boots.

“Thank you for coming,” Mr Zelensky said as he shook Mr Biden’s hand.

“More importantly, how are the children?” Mr Biden asked, including: “It’s amazing to see you.”

United States president Joe Biden has actually shown up in Kyiv for his very first check out to the embattled nation considering that Russia attacked almost one year back.

The surprise go to follows he took a trip to Poland to fulfill president Andrzej Duda.

Ukrainian authorities provided an air-raid alert throughout the whole nation on Monday.

Officials in the capital Kyiv have actually alerted in current days of an increased danger of attacks by Russia as the anniversary of its intrusion of Ukraine in 2015 methods.

There were no instant reports of brand-new rocket or drone strikes.

The United States remains in no position to make needs, China has actually said after the leading United States diplomat alerted his Beijing equivalent over the weekend versus offering weapons to Russia in its war in Ukraine.

“The United States is in no position to make demands of China,” foreign ministry representative Wang Wenbin informed a routine day-to-day instruction in Beijing, when inquired about secretary of state Antony Blinken’s remarks.

“China’s comprehensive collaborative partnership with Russia is based on the basis of non-alignment, non-confrontation and non-targeting of third parties, and is a matter within the sovereignty of two independent countries,” Wang Wenbin said.

He was describing the “no limits” collaboration struck simply over a year ago in between Beijing and Moscow, weeks prior to Russia’s intrusion of Ukraine.

“We will never accept the US pointing fingers at Sino-Russian relations or even coercing us,” he said.

Turkey’s foreign minister has actually firmly insisted that Ankara is not offering items that might be utilized in Russia’s war effort, after United States cautions previously this month about exports of chemicals, microchips and other items.

Speaking after satisfying United States secretary of state Antony Blinken in Ankara, Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey will not enable United States and European sanctions to be breached in or through Turkey, and Ankara is taking actions to avoid it.

A leading United States treasury authorities went to Turkish federal government and economic sector authorities previously this month to prompt more cooperation in interfering with the circulation of products that can be utilized by Moscow’s defence markets.

Poverty-stricken protestors in Moldova state they are not scared of a Russian intrusion after the Kremlin cut its gas supply to the nation by half in 2015 and sent energy costs skyrocketing.

According to Moldova’s president Maia Sandu, energy costs now take in more than 70 percent of household earnings.

The Sunday demonstrations were arranged by Moldova’s pro-Russian Sor celebration, reports the BBC.

Most demonstraters took a trip to the capital city Chisinau by bus, with their expenses apparently covered by the Sor celebration.

“It’s very clear that Russia is an aggressor state,” Rosian Vasiloi, head of Moldova’s border cops, informed the BBC.

He informed the broadcaster that as long as Ukraine continues to combat, and is triumphant, he thinks the dangers for Moldova are lower.

“If Ukraine falls, Moldova is next,” he included. “But I’m not afraid.”

Chisinau Councillor Iurie Berenchi likewise said protestors were “not afraid,” informing the broadcaster: “Because if Russia wanted to take Moldova, they’d do it in half a day.”

Asked if he would invite that, Mr Berenchi: “In my personal opinion, yes. With Russia we’d be much better off than we are now.”

China’s leading diplomat, Wang Yi, has actually shown up in Moscow for talks on a possible peace prepare for Ukraine, reports state.

“The main purpose of his trip is to increase the role of Beijing in the Ukrainian settlement,” the Kommersant paper reported.

At the yearly Munich Security Conference, Wang implicated the United States of breaching global standards with “hysterical” behaviour.

Wang restated a require discussion and recommended European nations “think calmly” about how to end the war.

Wang likewise said there were “some forces that seemingly don’t want negotiations to succeed, or for the war to end soon,” without defining to whom he was referring.

China’s Xi Jinping will provide a “peace speech” on the anniversary of the intrusion of Ukraine, Italy’s foreign minister said on Friday.