On Sunday at 3:30 a.m., President Joe Biden's convoy sneaked out of the White House. Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 generally used for domestic flights to smaller airports, was used to transport the president on this trip instead of the larger, more showy Air Force One.
Twenty hours later, he reemerged in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Biden's unannounced 23-hour travel to Ukraine on Monday was the first time in modern history that a US leader visited a warzone without the protection of the US military - a feat the White House deemed risky even though Russia was informed in advance.
Joe Biden Visits Ukraine
For the following five hours, the president made various visits across the city while being transported in a white SUV instead of the presidential limousine and without informing the Ukrainian people of his presence. But, all of this action drew so much attention that word of his presence spread far before he could return to Poland as intended. White House aides were amazed that the secret lasted as long as it did.
Yet, Moscow knew something that the Ukrainian populace did not. US authorities had notified Russia of Biden's travel, as per AP News via Yahoo. Since last year, the president has been yearning to join the parade of Western politicians who have traveled to Kyiv to offer support, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the capital.
The combination of President Biden's planned travel to Warsaw, Poland, and the Presidents' Day vacation gave an easy opportunity to add a visit to Kyiv. Monday's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, stated that a few senior White House and US national security agency officials worked in secret for several months to make this happen.
President Joe Biden's secret visit to Ukraine was the first time in modern history that a US leader visited a combat zone without the protection of the American military. Even though Russia was informed before Biden's arrival, the White House deemed this a risky endeavor.
For the following five hours, the president made various visits across the city while being transported in a black SUV instead of the presidential limousine and without informing the Ukrainian people of his presence. But, all of this action drew so much attention that word of his presence spread far before he could return to Poland as intended. According to ABC News, White House aides were amazed that the secret lasted as long as it did.
Since last year, the president has been yearning to join the parade of Western politicians who have traveled to Kyiv to offer support, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the capital.
How Biden Kept His Plan a Secret?
As Biden boarded the Air Force airplane, the Special Air Mission call sign SAM060 was assigned to the aircraft. It departed Joint Base Andrews at 4:15 a.m. local time.
After refueling in Germany, the airplane carrying President Biden turned off its transponder for the nearly one-hour journey to Rzeszow, Poland. Around 8 a.m. on Monday (local time), he arrived in Kyiv, was met by Ambassador Bridget Brink, and boarded his motorcade for the trip to Mariinsky Palace.
When he remained on the ground in Ukraine, flights from Western capitals carrying military weapons and other commodities continued unabatedly to Rzeszow. Many key avenues and central blocks were roped off in Kyiv without explanation. Biden was due to depart the United States for a two-day trip to Poland on Monday evening. There were two suspiciously long pauses in his itinerary, and many speculated that this was when he would sneak into Ukraine.
At the daily White House press briefings, reporters regularly inquire about a visit. Reporters were informed that there was no scheduled meeting with Zelensky and no stops outside Warsaw "right now."
An intentionally small crew of his closest aides, a medical team, and security officials were on board. Only two journalists were permitted to accompany the president on his trip. They were pledged to silence, and their cell phones were confiscated. They were not allowed to report the visit before Biden arrived in Kyiv.
While the president's travel is a statement to Russia of the Biden administration's commitment to assisting Ukraine, it also serves as a demonstration to American voters at home. This Monday, his press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, was questioned about surveys indicating waning US support for Ukraine.
Per BBC News, she said that whenever the president talks, he addresses the American people and citizens from other countries. Monday's address is intended to vehemently refute the handful of Republican voices that wonder how long the United States can continue to assist Ukraine.
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