Perspective: Biden in Ukraine

In a major show of support for Ukraine US President Joe Biden made an unprecedented trip to Kyiv on Monday, his first since Russia-Ukraine conflict began almost a year ago. During the visit which lasted few hours he met his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and announced new military assistance and sanctions against Russia. Later at a press conference Biden said US will back Ukraine in its fight against Russia for as long as it takes. Zelensky termed Biden’s visit as most important in the whole history of the Ukraine-U.S. relationship. After Biden’s visit to Kiev USA announced a new package of security assistance for Ukraine valued at $450 million including ammunition for howitzers and the Himars rocket system, Javelin missiles and air surveillance radars. US will also provide Kyiv with an extra $10 million in emergency assistance to maintain Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. A day after this visit Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed western countries for starting this war. In his State of the Nation Address to the Federal Assembly on Tuesday, Putin said Russia is not at war with the people of Ukraine, but they themselves have become hostages of the Kiev regime and its Western patrons.