Joe Biden’s Historic Trip To Ukraine
On Sunday, February 14th, 2021, President Joe Biden took a historic 23-hour trip to Kyiv, Ukraine, marking the first time in modern history that a U.S. leader has visited a warzone outside of the aegis of the U.S. military. This trip, which had been in the works since last year, required intense security, operational, and logistical planning by the U.S. government to make it a manageable risk.
Biden departed the White House in the early hours of the morning, taking off in an Air Force C-32, a modified Boeing 757 normally used for domestic trips to smaller airports. After a refueling stop in Germany, his plane switched off its transponder for the roughly hour-long flight to Rzeszow, Poland. From there, he boarded a train for the 10-hour overnight trip to Kyiv.
He arrived in the capital at 8 a.m. Monday and was greeted by Ambassador Bridget Brink and entered his motorcade for the drive to Mariinsky Palace. Even while he was on the ground in Ukraine, flights transporting military equipment and other goods were continuing unabated to Rzeszow from Western cities.
Due to the secrecy of the mission, main streets and central blocks in Kyiv were cordoned off without explanation, though videos of the motorcade gave away the identity of the guest. U.S. officials had given Moscow notice of Biden’s trip prior to his departure, to avoid any miscalculation that could bring the two nuclear-armed nations into direct conflict.
Biden was accompanied by a far smaller than usual retinue including National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Deputy Chief of Staff Jen O’Malley Dillon, Director of Oval Office Operations Annie Tomasini, his Secret Service detail, the military aide carrying the so-called “nuclear football,” a small medical team, and the official White House photographer.
The president made multiple stops around the city, including a visit to St. Michael’s Cathedral, where he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walked from their motorcade to the gold-domed building. There, they were met by heavily armed soldiers standing guard outside.
At the wall of remembrance honoring Ukrainian soldiers killed since 2014, Biden paid tribute and placed a wreath.
Biden’s visit was a show of support for Ukraine and its people, who have suffered greatly under Russian aggression since 2014. His presence in Kyiv was also seen as an example of a president who is not afraid to stand up to Russia and show solidarity with the Ukraine people.
When Biden’s train pulled away from the station, the all-clear notice was voiced by Mark Hamill, and his Luke Skywalker voice urged people to take cover. It was only then that the first images of Biden in the capital popped up on Ukrainian social media and the secret visit became global news.
Overall, Biden’s trip to Ukraine was a success. He was able to show his support for Ukraine during a time of war, and also demonstrate a willingness to take risks in order to stand up for what is right.
