Jill Biden made an unannounced visit to western Ukraine on Sunday, holding a surprise Mother's Day meeting with first lady Olena Zelenska to show U.S. support for the embattled nation as Russia presses its punishing war in the eastern regions.
UZHHOROD, Ukraine -- Jill Biden made an unannounced visit to western Ukraine on Sunday, holding a surprise Mother's Day meeting with first lady Olena Zelenska to show U.S. support for the embattled nation as Russia presses its punishing war in the eastern regions.
Zelenska thanked Biden for her"courageous act" and said,"We understand what it takes for the U.S. first lady to come here during a war when military actions are taking place every day, where the air sirens are happening every day -- even today." President Joe Biden said during his visit to Poland in March that he was disappointed he could not visit Ukraine to see conditions"firsthand" but that he was not allowed, likely due to security reasons. The White House said as recently as last week that the president"would love to visit" but there were no plans for him to do so at this time.
Biden's visit follows recent stops in the war-torn country by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other members of Congress, as well as a joint trip by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv. At a bus station in the city that is now a 24-hour refugee processing center, Biden found herself in an extended conversation with a Ukrainian woman who said she struggles to explain the war to her three children because she cannot understand it herself.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jill Biden pays surprise visit to Ukraine, meets first ladyJill Biden made an unannounced visit to western Ukraine on Sunday, holding a surprise Mother's Day meeting with first lady Olena Zelenska to show U.S. support for the embattled nation.
Read more »
Jill Biden pays surprise visit to Ukraine, meets first ladyJill Biden made an unannounced visit to western Ukraine on Sunday, holding a surprise Mother's Day meeting with first lady Olena Zelenska to show U.S. support for the embattled nation.
Read more »
First lady Jill Biden makes surprise visit to war-torn UkraineThe two first ladies met in a school where they joined children in making Mother's Day gifts and spoke privately.
Read more »
Jill Biden pays surprise visit to Ukraine, meets first ladyJill Biden has made an unannounced visit to western Ukraine, where she held a surprise Mother’s Day meeting with the first lady Olena Zelenska to show U.S. support for the embattled nation.
Read more »
Jill Biden pays surprise visit to Ukraine, meets first ladyJill Biden has made an unannounced visit to western Ukraine, where she held a surprise Mother’s Day meeting with the first lady Olena Zelenska to show U.S. support for the embattled nation.
Read more »
Jill Biden pays surprise visit to Ukraine, meets first ladyJill Biden made an unannounced visit to western Ukraine on Sunday, holding a surprise Mother's Day meeting with first lady Olena Zelenska to show U.S. support for the embattled nation.
Read more »