US President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, on Monday, where he met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The visit, which was not publicly announced until the day of, was the first time in modern US history that a US president has entered a war zone with no significant US military presence.
During the visit, Biden announced that the US will provide an additional half a billion dollars in security assistance to Ukraine, including artillery, anti-armor systems, and air defense radars to help Ukraine defend against air attacks. The US president also discussed long-range weaponry and giving Ukraine weapons that it has not previously received with the Ukrainian President.
Biden's visit follows reports that the White House has advised Ukraine not to delay in preparing its counteroffensive. The White House reportedly expressed concern that the amount of military aid provided to Ukraine by the US and its European allies in the future may not be as large as it is now.
According to Ukrainian intelligence sources, Russian President Vladimir Putin believes that despite military setbacks, Russia's advantages are in its size and time.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's president, Zelensky, recently emphasized the importance of speed in preparing for a potential conflict. In an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera and Rai TV, Zelensky said that Ukraine is preparing for a short war and victory, and the quicker the war ends, the fewer casualties there will be.
He also noted that the 2014 Minsk agreements did not work in Ukraine's favor. Zelensky also mentioned that the ongoing fighting in Bahmut will continue as long as it is reasonable and that the city will not be defended at all costs with the sacrifice of all.