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2023 PRESIDENTS DAY IN THE USA
Historical Meeting of the Presidents of the
United States and Ukraine in Kyiv
U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC)
Wash, DC, Mon, Feb 20, 2023
Photos: The Presidential Office of Ukraine
"That dark night one year ago, the world was literally at the time bracing for the fall of Kyiv. One year later Kyiv stands. And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. America stands with you, and the world stands with you," President Joseph Biden today in Kyiv.
Presidents Day in the USA, February 20, 2023 will stay historic and engraved in history.
This day, the president of the United States, which almost 250 years ago fought for its independence, has made another active strong statement about supporting democracy and freedom. This day the president of the U.S., which is now standing strong protecting the freedom of Ukraine freedom from treacherous invasion of its terrorist neighbor, Russia, has reassured Ukraine of the support of the free world for “As Long as It Takes.”
Strong leadership is an important and often decisive factor for nations, especially during their critical moments.
Ukraine, who for centuries strived for its own independent state, has now shown the world that even, when very few believed in them, they could stand strong in protecting their country, land, family, and friends. They and their unquenchable spirit are the people of the year, they are the beacon of hope in this world today.
And what a drastic, yet unsurprising result, for those who truly knows the Spirit of Ukraine. Who could ever imagine, a year ago, a visit by the President of the United States to the capitol of Ukraine in the midst of a major battle ground.
One year ago, some of the largest nations were pulling their diplomats from Ukraine, which their neighbor Russia had announced is “not a real country.” Today, with unprecedented support from the same states, who believed that Ukraine would only last several days against President Putin, stand in awe of the Ukrainian people who continue to stand, struggle, sacrifice and overcome.
Ukraine has shown the whole world that they can and will top the Putin’s Russia, who has been terrorizing and corrupting its neighbors. Ukraine has united the free world, which is stronger than it ever has been since WWII.
Today this united free world has no other choice, but to support Ukraine and stop terrorism, propaganda, corruption, murder, tanks, rockets, drones, etc, which are the weaponry of Russia. The United States, together with its allies, must continue and scale up military, economic and humanitarian support for the Ukrainian nation, who actively have proven that independence and freedom are the values worth fighting and dying for, for themselves and the people of the world. (U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, www.USUBC.org)
Statement from President Joe Biden
on Travel to Kyiv, Ukraine
The White House
Briefing Room, Statements and Releases
Wash, DC, Mon, Feb 20, 2023
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 Zelenskyy 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 Zelenskyy 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.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with
the President of the United States in Kyiv
The Presidential Office of Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine, Mon, Feb 20, 2023
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President of the United States Joseph Biden, who arrived in Ukraine for the first time since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.
The Head of State met the distinguished guest at the entrance to the Mariyinsky Palace in the capital’s downtown.
After the introduction of the members of the Ukrainian and American delegations, the Presidents of Ukraine and the United States had a face-to-face conversation.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that Joseph Biden's visit was an extremely important signal of support for Ukraine and Ukrainians.
"Thank you very much, Mr. President. This is a significant moment of support for Ukraine," he said.
The Head of State emphasized that Joseph Biden personally and the entire American society had been with Ukraine from the very beginning of the full-scale war unleashed by Russia.
"The first phone call supporting Ukraine came from the White House. Thank you for your leadership. I also thank you for the bipartisan support, for the support of the Congress," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President of Ukraine noted that he would talk to the President of the United States about the situation on the frontline and about the Ukrainian people facing ordeals.
"What we have to do to stop the war, to succeed in this war, to make Ukraine even stronger, and how to gain victory this year," he said.
For his part, Joseph Biden noted the importance of his presence in Ukraine today, which demonstrates the U.S. support for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state.
"I think it would be critically important to leave no doubt that the United States supports Ukraine in its war against brutal aggression," the U.S. President said.
The U.S. President said he was glad to visit Kyiv again.
"Much has changed since my last trip. Terrible things have happened, an invasion, but at the same time, the Ukrainian people have stepped up in a way that very few people have ever had in their defense. And they helped us embrace the notion of democracy," Joseph Biden said.
He also conveyed greetings from members of Congress. According to Joseph Biden, they were very impressed by Volodymyr Zelenskyy's recent address to Congress.
The U.S. President spoke about his intention to discuss how the United States and its allies can best help Ukraine in its fight for freedom and independence.
President Biden and President Zelenskyy in the Constitution Square in front of Mariyinsky Palace in downtown Kyiv, where the official meetings between the Presidents and officials of both countries were held.
President Biden and President Zelenskyy in the Mykhailivskyy Square in front of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, which became one of the main centers of support for the Ukrainian people fighting for their freedom during the Revolution of Dignity on February 20, 2014, exactly 9 years ago.
President Biden and President Zelenskyy, in a moment of silence, pay tribute to the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred and many others, who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their nation during the last 10 years.
President Biden and President Zelenskyy lay flowers to the Wall of Remembrance of those who died for Ukraine during the last 9 years, located near St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery.
President Biden together with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska in front of Mariyinsky Palace in downtown Kyiv.
President Biden meets with Metropolitan Epiphanius of Kyiv and All Ukraine, the primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) during the visit to St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv.
More on President Biden’s visit to Ukraine today:
Biden Visits Kyiv, Ukraine’s Embattled Capital, as Air-Raid Siren Sounds
New York Times, New York, NY, Mon, Feb 20, 2023
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/20/us/politics/biden-ukraine-visit.html
On-the-Record Press Call by Senior Administration Officials on President Biden’s Trip to Ukraine
White House, Wash, DC, Mon, Feb 20, 2023
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/02/20/on-the-record-press-call-by-senior-administration-officials-on-president-bidens-trip-to-ukraine/
More U.S. Security Assistance on the Way for Ukraine
U.S. Department of State
Press Statement by Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
Wash, DC, Mon, Feb 20, 2023
https://www.state.gov/more-u-s-security-assistance-on-the-way-for-ukraine/
NOTE: Compare to last year’s worldwide news of the same days:
Boris Johnson says Russia has plans for ‘biggest war in Europe since 1945’
The Guardian, New York, NY, Sun, Feb 20, 2022
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/20/boris-johnson-says-russia-has-plans-for-biggest-war-in-europe-since-1945
Russia plans to launch the biggest war in Europe since 1945 by attacking Ukraine in a “bloody and protracted conflict”, Boris Johnson has warned as he vowed to use “all the pressure we can bring” to “make sure that this this venture does not succeed”.
U.S. diplomatic staff relocate from Ukraine to Poland.
New York Times, New York, NY, Mon, Feb 21, 2022
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/22/world/europe/us-diplomatic-staff-have-relocated-from-ukraine-to-poland.html
The U.S. State Department announced Monday night that diplomatic employees in Lviv, in western Ukraine, would spend the night in Poland.
US says Russia closer to invading Ukraine, agrees to meeting
AP, New York, NY, Mon, Feb 21, 2022
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-russia-united-states-europe-black-sea-a4e14d1b12c119c81d07dd3876cb057b
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the administration has been clear that “we are committed to pursuing diplomacy until the moment an invasion begins.” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are set to meet on Thursday in Europe — as long as Russia does not send its troops into Ukraine beforehand.
Ukraine news from February 22, 2022: US and EU unveil new sanctions against Russia, Biden accuses Putin of beginning Ukraine invasion, Nato says Russia planning for ‘full-scale attack’
Financial Times, London, UK, Tue, Feb 22, 2022
https://www.ft.com/content/b787a27f-78f4-411e-9435-bb9e980c2a7f
