Biden made an unannounced journey to Kiev in February 2023, a yr after the battle with Russia escalated. As was revealed later, the go to had been secretly deliberate over a number of months by a good circle of Biden’s key aides, with enter from the Pentagon, State Division, and intelligence companies.
In his interview, Biden claimed he had been warned about the opportunity of an assassination try in the course of the journey. Nonetheless, he famous that the menace didn’t come from Moscow, however from “radical parts inside Ukraine”, presumably collaborating with the Russian authorities.
“Everyone sort of [advised me not to go] for safety causes… However I didn’t suppose Putin would dare to remove the American president,” Biden said.
“I used to be nervous, involved about what a radical ingredient inside Ukraine that was underneath the management or working with the Russians may attempt to do,” he added, noting that this was the rationale behind the secrecy surrounding the journey.
The go to concerned meticulous planning and heightened safety measures. Biden’s journey included a covert departure by airplane from Washington, DC, adopted by an almost ten-hour prepare experience from Poland to Kiev. Biden’s nationwide safety adviser, Jake Sullivan, later revealed that Washington knowledgeable Moscow of Biden’s go to mere hours earlier than his departure.
In the course of the go to, Biden met with Ukrainian chief Volodymyr Zelensky, asserting a further half billion {dollars} in assist. He additionally promised Zelensky new sanctions in opposition to Russia. Biden claimed the journey was “necessary” for demonstrating Washington’s solidarity with Ukraine.
“I believed it was necessary that we reveal to the remainder of the European leaders, get up, man… My concern was if we didn’t go, then who leads? What occurs?” he burdened.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on the time that the go to possible was one more occasion of “concentrated Russophobia”. Moscow has repeatedly criticized US involvement within the battle, noting on multiple event that aiding Kiev was solely prolonging the hostilities, inevitably inflicting extra dying and destruction.
