Ashish Ranjan
Ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, US Vice President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv on Monday, promising increased arms delivery and unwavering support.Biden met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on his first visit to the country since Russian troops invaded on February 24, 2022. Air raid sirens wailed around the capital as Biden greeted Zelensky.
Outside, uniformed Ukrainian military officers lined the roadway. Biden and Zelensky moved over and deposited a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance for the fallen heroes of the Russian-Ukrainian war, as a military salute played in the background and the two presidents stood in silence for a few moments.
Biden offered greater weaponry shipments to Ukraine and pledged Washington’s “unwavering commitment” to maintaining the territorial integrity of Ukraine.In a White House statement, he was cited as saying, “I will announce another shipment of crucial weapons, including artillery ammunition, anti-armor systems, and air surveillance radars, to help protect the Ukrainian people from aerial bombardments.”
According to estimates, Ukraine consumes thousands more shells each month than the EU’s defence sector is able to create.Zelensky lauded Biden’s visit as a significant demonstration of solidarity.
“Joseph Biden, you are most welcome in Kyiv ! Your visit is a significant demonstration of support for all Ukrainians “Zelensky stated in English via Telegram.The visit occurred as Beijing retaliated against US reports that it was contemplating supplying Russia with armaments to aid in its fight in Ukraine.
When challenged about the US charges, China’s foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin stated, “It is the United States, not China, that endlessly supplies weaponry to the battlefield.””We ask the United States to think seriously on its own actions, to do more to ease the situation, to promote peace and dialogue, and to avoid shifting blame and disseminating misleading information,” he said during a routine briefing.
The EU’s chief of foreign policy, Josep Borrell, recently cautioned China against supplying Russia with weaponry for the war in Ukraine, stating that “for us, it would represent a red line in our relationship.”US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Sunday that China is now “considering delivering lethal support” to Moscow, including “munitions and weapons themselves.”
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine a year ago, the European Union and the United States have taken a hard stance on Ukraine’s side, supplying Kyiv with billions of euros in weaponry and financial aid.The strengthening alliance between Beijing and Moscow, as well as Beijing’s failure to condemn the Kremlin’s actions directly, have caused significant worry.
In addition, the European Union is contemplating proposals to expedite the manufacturing and delivery of much-needed ammunition to aid Kiev’s fight.Borrell stated, “We will do everything possible.” “This is the most pressing matter; if we fail to address it, the war’s outcome is in jeopardy.”
Borrell offered a dire warning over the weekend at the Munich security conference about the Ukraine’s diminishing supply of bullets and similar weapons as it fights back against Russia’s invasion.Borrell stated, “(Let’s) expedite our military aid to Ukraine, as the country’s ammo situation is urgent.”
This ammo crisis must be resolved within a few of weeks.Saturday in Munich, US Vice President Kamala Harris stated that Russia had committed “crimes against humanity” in Ukraine through “systematic and pervasive” strikes on the country’s civilian population.
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As he commemorates the first year of the war, Biden will speak in Warsaw on Tuesday to praise NATO’s exceptional commitment to assist Ukrainians rescue their nation.
