President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to Kyiv, Japan announced a generous financial aid package, and a “people’s court” put Russian President Vladimir Putin on trial for the crime of aggression Monday as the war with Ukraine followed up the one-year mark with no end in sight.
Biden also announced an additional $500 million in weaponry for Ukraine. The State Department pegged the figure at $450 million, plus another $10 million in emergency aid for Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, which has been damaged by Russian attacks.
“Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us. He was just plain wrong,” Biden tweeted. “One year later, here we stand together – united with the people of Ukraine.”
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said his country is pledging another $5.5 billion in assistance because of “strong concern that Ukraine may be tomorrow’s East Asia.”
The “people’s court” in The Hague, Netherlands, has no legal powers. But prosecutors said they would present evidence that Putin committed the crime of aggression by unleashing a devastating war that has killed thousands and left towns and cities in ruins.
Developments:
►Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has become more stable, and energy imports are nearing zero, the state utility Ukrenergo announced. The company cited favorable weather and the gradual increase in daylight hours.
►Starting in October, Ukrenergo’s key network facilities suffered extensive damage from Russian missile and drone attacks, meaning the company will need significant resources and time for complete restoration.
►Ukraine Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said he believes the West will transfer combat aircraft to Kyiv within one or two months. Biden and other Western leaders have thus far rejected Ukraine’s plea for aircraft.
►King Charles III met with Ukrainian troops undergoing five weeks of basic training in Wiltshire, England.
BIDEN’ GUEST APPEARANCE:President Biden makes a surprise visit to Ukraine ahead of the Russian invasion anniversary
Blinken details latest US weaponry headed for Ukraine
Secretary of State Antony Blinken authorized the 32nd drawdown of US arms and equipment for Ukraine since August 2021. The $450 million package includes more ammunition for US-provided HIMARS and Howitzers that Ukraine is already using against Russian forces, as well as more Javelins, anti -armor systems and air surveillance radars.
“In addition, I am authorizing an additional $10 million to support our ongoing efforts to provide emergency assistance to keep Ukraine’s energy infrastructure up and running in the face of Russia’s relentless missile and drone attacks,” Blinken said.
Zelenskyy ecstatic as Biden makes pilgrimage: ‘Welcome to Kyiv!’
Several European leaders have visited Kyiv since the war began, but Biden’s trip could be unprecedented. There are few, if any, examples of US presidents traveling to an active war zone where there is no US troop presence.
“Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv!” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on his official Telegram channel. “Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians.”
It was Biden’s first visit to Ukraine since Russia launched its war a year ago this week. It came ahead of a three-day visit to Poland, Ukraine’s neighbor and most committed ally. It was also symbolic because it comes as Ukraine has been intensely lobbying the US for more weapons to help it fight back against Russia’s latest offensive.
Biden announced half a billion dollars of additional security assistance to Ukraine and said more details would be released in the coming days and that additional sanctions on Russia would be announced this week. Read more here.
– Kim Hjelmgaard and Rebecca Morin
Japan commits $5.5 billion, will host Group of Seven summit with Zelenskyy
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced $5.5 billion in financial aid for Ukraine and will mark the first anniversary of the war Friday by hosting an online Group of Seven summit with Zelenskyy.
Japan is already worried about the looming threat of an increasingly assertive China, and Kishida said Russia’s invasion challenges the rules-based international order, adding, “That’s why I decided to finally respond with sanctions.”
Kishida said Ukrainians are suffering and need help to rebuild their daily lives and the infrastructure badly damaged by Russian attacks. As this year’s president of the G-7, Kishida said he would host an online summit to be joined by Zelenskyy on Friday.
How was Biden’s trip to Kyiv pulled off? Through secrecy and lots of coordination
It took months of planning, a commitment to secrecy and a final decision made only three days before pulling off Biden’s surprise trip to Kyiv.
Besides the additional $500 million in Ukraine aid Biden announced Monday, his visit just days ahead of the one-year mark of the Russian invasion came with enormous symbolism. No American president had traveled to a war zone without a US military presence before.
“I thought it was critical that there would be no doubt, nothing whatsoever, about US support for Ukraine in the war,” Biden said Monday morning next to Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy at his residence, Mariinksy Palace.
Coordination for the trip involving the White House, National Security Council, the Pentagon, Secret Service and the intelligence community.
The New York Times reported that after leaving the US at 4:15 am Sunday, Biden and his small group arrived in Poland and took a 10-hour train ride to Kyiv. They headed back to Poland after about six hours in the Ukrainian capital.
“One year later, Kyiv stands,” Biden said. “And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands.”
— Joey Garrison and Rebecca Morin
Russia dismisses Biden’s visit with Zelenskyy
The Kremlin downplayed Biden’s visit with Zelenskyy, which the Russians had been told about, according to national security adviser Jake Sullivan.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia’s Security Council and former president, said Biden “pledged allegiance to the neo-Nazi regime.” Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the meeting called to mind Georgia’s former president, Mikheil Saakashvili, now in a Georgia prison, saying that US-backed politicians “is paying a steep price to be remembered in the West.” Zakharova also mentioned US-backed Juan Guaido, who in late December was ousted as leader of Venezuela’s opposition.
“This is what awaits all those who have sold their souls to the Americans,” she said. “Damned by their own people, needed by no one, forced to spend lavishly the money earned in America – from betraying their countries – on American lawyers.”
Biden to visit Poland on Tuesday
Biden is marking the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine with a trip to Poland to reassure Europe and the world that the US will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Biden is scheduled to arrive Tuesday for his second visit in less than a year. The trip comes as Russia has started what is expected to be a fierce spring assault in Ukraine and as polls show softening support among the American public to provide Ukraine with weaponry and direct assistance.
John Kirby, spokesman for the National Security Council, said Biden’s remarks will be directed at Americans, the Polish people and other allies – “And I suspect you’ll hear him messaging Mr. Putin as well and the Russian people.” Read more here.
– Michael Collins and Joey Garrison
WAR WEARY?:As Americans’ views on providing weapons to Ukraine soften, Biden plans to mark Russia invasion anniversary
Mercy Corps seeks access in Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine
The global humanitarian aid agency Mercy Corps urged the Biden administration, EU and UN to broker a deal securing access to Ukrainian territories now held by Russia. The nongovernmental organization says 4 million people in Ukraine are trapped behind front lines while aid deliveries face “insurmountable” barriers. “Any solution for aid agencies to access these areas would be fragile,” said Michael Young, Mercy Corps country director for Ukraine. ” But it must be attempted if the international goodwill toward the Ukrainian people is not to fail.”
8 MILLION REFUGEES:They counted the days until they could return to Ukraine. Now, they’re not sure they’ll go back
Fate of 8 million Ukrainian refugees unclear one year into war
One year after Russia’s invasion sparked Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II, more than 8 million refugees remained scattered in Europe, the US and beyond. As the conflict they fled grinds on, their new roots grow deeper. Amid new jobs, languages and lives hangs a consequential question: not just when to go home, but whether to go back at all.
How many ultimately return to Ukraine is a question with important ramifications for refugees, including those with temporary immigration status; for host countries that see tensions as new residents add to their workforce but strain their housing and schools; and for Ukraine’s capacity to rebuild its country and economy.
“The longer it lasts, the greater chance that people really start to envision and build up a life (outside of Ukraine) and not go back,” said Hanne Beirens, who heads the Migration Policy Institute of Europe. Read more here.
– Chris Kenning
A deeper dive:
♦ Joe Biden makes a surprise visit to Ukraine ahead of the Russian invasion anniversary, walks the streets of Kyiv
♦ They counted the days until they could return to Ukraine. Now, they’re not sure they’ll go back
♦ Biden in Ukraine: See photos of president in Kyiv nearly one year after Russia’s invasion
♦As Americans grow weary of the Ukraine war, Biden plans to mark Russia invasion anniversary
Contributing: The Associated Press