US embassy informed Russia of Biden's visit to Kiev

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Feb 19:26
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US embassy in Moscow had informed Russian officials of President Biden's visit to Kiev to avoid any perception of provocative connotations.

President Joe Biden, center, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy talk during an unannounced visit in Kyiv, Ukraine, Monday, Feb. 20, 2023 (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

According to RIA Novosti, the US embassy in Moscow informed Russian officials of President Biden's visit to Kiev to avoid any perception of provocative connotations.

Earlier today, President Biden arrived in Kiev for an unheralded visit marking his first trip to Kiev since the break out of the war. Biden held a meeting with his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at the St. Michael Cathedral in Kiev.

Afterward, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan assured that Russian authorities were informed of the visit a few hours before departure for deconfliction purposes. However, Sullivan did not provide any further information about the objective of the meeting due to its sensitive nature.

Biden promised Zelensky that more arms will be sent and that they have his unflagging commitment to helping Ukraine.

In a White House statement, Biden was quoted as saying, "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."

Zelensky took Biden's visit as a key sign of support. He welcomed the American president in an English message on Telegram and called his visit "an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians."