Joe Biden is being criticized online for making a surprise trip to Ukraine rather than to East Palestine, Ohio, following the toxic train disaster that shook the community. Biden arrived in Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv Monday morning in an unannounced visit to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy days before one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
Biden delivered remarks at Mariinsky Palace announcing an additional half-billion dollars in U.S. assistance, which includes “shells for howitzers, anti-tank missiles, air surveillance radars and other aid.”
Air raid sirens blared as Biden and Zelensky wrapped up a visit to St. Michael’s Cathedral, although U.S. officials reportedly warned Russia that Biden was visiting the Ukrainian capital hours before he made the trip.
“We did notify the Russians that President Biden would be traveling to Kyiv,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters Monday. “We did so some hours before his departure for de-confliction purposes.”
VIDEO: The show goes on… Air raid sirens sounded for special effect as #Biden poses for photographs with #Zelensky in #Kiev pic.twitter.com/Yx9fVa8VxL #Ukraine
— Manchester Chronicle 🐝 (@WithyGrove) February 20, 2023
Some are upset that President @JoeBiden just made an unannounced visit to #Ukraine instead of East Palestine in Ohio. Your reaction. pic.twitter.com/zIzB59Xuif
— Simon Ateba (@simonateba) February 20, 2023
Joe Biden visited Ukraine before the war zone of East Palestine, Ohio just and hour from DC.
You will never seen a more intentionally insulting move by a US President.
This cannot be understated.
Cravenly cruel. https://t.co/XZVCcBc1Yw
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 20, 2023
Joe Biden visits the capital of Ukraine after funding their war with $100 billion of American taxpayer’s money.
But Joe Biden refuses to visit the southern border of our own country that’s being invaded because of his own policies.
America Last pic.twitter.com/GLD7SSYFYN
— Vernon Jones (@VernonForGA) February 20, 2023
Former President Donald Trump reportedly plans to travel to East Palestine on Wednesday, and will meet with members of the community.
“Biden is in Ukraine, Trump is heading to Ohio,” tweeted Human Events senior editor Jack Posobiec. “You couldn’t make a more perfect example of America Last vs America First.”
Biden is in Ukraine
Trump is heading to Ohio
You couldn’t make a more perfect example of America Last vs America First
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) February 20, 2023
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene called for Biden’s impeachment, referring to him on Twitter as an “America Last fool.”
Biden didn’t go to East Palestine, Ohio on President’s Day.
He went to Ukraine, a NON-NATO nation, whose leader is an actor and is apparently now commanding our United States military to world war.
We must impeach this America Last fool before it’s too late. pic.twitter.com/GFxXPSFXFu
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) February 20, 2023
Biden said he visited Ukraine to “reaffirm our unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.”
“I am meeting with President Zelenskyy and his team for an extended discussion on our support for Ukraine,” Biden said. “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,” he continued.
Biden also said he is looking forward to meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda and the leaders of our Eastern Flank Allies as the U.S. looks to continue rallying the world to support Ukraine. He departed the Ukrainian capital in the early afternoon local time after spending roughly 5 hours in the city.
Sirens could be heard in war-torn Ukraine as Biden arrived in the country. The U.S. has already supported Ukraine with tens of billions of dollars in financial aid and military equipment.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also announced $5.5 billion in aid for Ukraine as Biden visited with Zelenskyy.
Biden’s visit comes just before Russia is expected to ramp up its offensive once again in its own acknowledgment of the one-year anniversary of the conflict. Ukrainian officials warned of a massive barrage of missiles that Russia may launch on Friday, Feb. 24.
A growing number of U.S. lawmakers have criticized the financial aid that continues to be greenlighted without proper oversight, including House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who says Ukraine should not receive a “blank check.” Joe Biden however has vowed to continue funding the war effort in Ukraine for “as long as it takes.”