Why Joe Biden visited Kyiv

PAYING HIS FIRST visit to wartime Kyiv on February 20th, President Joe Biden described it as a gesture to “reaffirm [US] commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.” He announced the release of a further $500m tranche of military assistance, and his team conducted closed-door discussions about the current battlefield dynamics. But the main impact of the visit was symbolic, coming as it did just four days before the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24th. And it offered Mr Biden an opportunity to experience the war first hand, as he walked around central Kyiv amid the wailing of air raid sirens.

The visit had not been announced, but did not come as a complete surprise. For at least a fortnight rumours have swirled around Kyiv that the leader of the free world might extend a planned trip to Poland to Ukraine, too. Washington supplied hints in the run up to the trip, including, last week, confirmation from the State Department of a $10bn commitment to shoring up Ukraine’s finances. Only a small circle of insiders knew the details, and they were sworn to secrecy for fear the plan would be derailed.