By John Ikani
President Biden’s secret visit to Ukraine was preceded by a notification to Russia hours before his departure, according to National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan.
The visit was considered unprecedented, given the lack of US military presence and diplomatic footprint in the country.
To prevent any potential miscalculations during the sensitive stopover, the US notified Russia of the president’s visit hours before his departure.
According to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, the US and Russia have maintained “deconfliction” lines for years to decrease the risk of a confrontation that could quickly spiral into a broader conflict.
During the conflict, Kyiv came under withering assault as the Kremlin unsuccessfully tried to encircle the capital and quickly topple the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Russia then refocused its war effort in eastern Ukraine, unleashing a merciless aerial assault with bombs, missiles, and exploding drones targeting Kyiv and other cities, often including civilian infrastructure.
In December, the US pledged to deliver a Patriot missile defense system to Kyiv to help Ukraine shoot down the projectiles and began training Ukrainian troops on how to use the system last month.
The small group of officials from the White House, Secret Service, and Pentagon had been planning the potential trip for months, but the president only made his final decision to travel on Friday, after all the risk assessments were set out for him.
The risks were made real during the visit, when an air-raid siren activated while President Biden and President Zelenskyy were walking together outside in Kyiv.
White House Communications Director, Kate Bedingfield, told reporters that President Biden wanted to take the risk and that the visit was a clear indication that he takes commitment seriously.
The president’s travel logistics have not been disclosed, such as what kind of plane or vehicle he took to get to Kyiv, until the White House gets the “green light” from US security officials. Russia has not yet publicly responded to Mr. Biden’s visit to Kyiv.
