US President visits Ukraine in preparation for a protracted war

A year has passed since the devastating war in Ukraine broke out.

Despite calls for dialogue and a peaceful solution to end the conflict, Western nations, particularly the United States of America, have fanned the flames of war by sending billions of dollars in arms to Ukraine, including heavy military equipment.

This trend has only escalated the conflict and made the prospect of a swift end to the war unlikely as it would appear that Ukraine’s allies are gearing up for a much longer war.

• US President Joe Biden has made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev.
  

  Biden’s visit to Ukraine

  US President Joe Biden has made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev ahead of the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. During his short trip Biden reiterated Washington’s unwavering support for Kiev and promised increased arms deliveries to the country.

On his first trip to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict, US President Joe Biden met his Ukrainian counterpart, President Volodymyr Zelensky. During his hours long surprise visit to Kyiv, Biden said he was there to show his country's unwavering support for Ukraine.

I'm here to show unwavering support for the nation's independence, their sovereignty, and territorial integrity. And today, we're going to have a chance to discuss how the United States and our allies, in constant contact with our partners, can most effectively support you and your cause, Mr President.

US President, Joe Biden

• Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's request to supply Kiev with its old fighter jets.
  

  Italy rejects Ukraine's request for fighter jets

  Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

And later at a joint presser with Zelensky, Biden promised increased arms deliveries to Ukraine.

We've committed nearly 700 tanks and thousands of armored vehicles, one thousand artillery systems, more than 2 million rounds of artillery ammunition, more than 50 advanced launch rocket systems, anti-ship and air defense systems, all to defend Ukraine and that doesn't count the other half a billion dollars we're going to be announcing with you today and tomorrow that is going to be coming your way.

US President, Joe Biden

Zelensky hailed the visit as a key sign of support, saying Russia does not stand a chance of winning the war.

This is an unequivocal signal that Russian attempts to win will have no chance. Together we will protect our cities and our people from the terror of Russia.

President Volodymyr  Zelensky of Ukraine

• The United States has decided to give Ukraine 31 battle tanks, the most powerful offensive weapons the Pentagon has sent yet.
  

  US sends battle tanks to Ukraine in a dangerous escalation

  The war in Ukraine looks set to worsen, as the US has announced it will send dozens of battle tanks to the country. Ramin Mazaheri has this report from Chicago.

While Biden was in Kyiv, the US State Department announced a further $460 million in aid to Ukraine. The assistance includes $450 million in artillery and munitions, anti armor systems and radars, as well as $10 million for energy infrastructure.

Biden's visit to Ukraine was the first trip to the country by a US president in 15 years. The visit came four days before the first anniversary of the breakout of the war between Ukraine and Russia.

Moscow has repeatedly warned the West against providing Kiev with weapons, saying it would only protract the conflict.

Biden's trip has clearly sent a contradictory message to Moscow signalling that the influx of weapons to Ukraine will continue and that Washington actually wants the war to go on.

• Many countries, including the US, Germany, France, and the UK, have been fanning the flames of the conflict by sending military aid worth billions of dollars to Ukraine.
  

  US Military support for Ukraine fanning flames of conflict

  America is in a state of managed decline, and it will exacerbate if we continue to hemorrhage, taxpayer dollars toward a foreign war which may lead to WWIII.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Western countries, particularly the US, have fanned the flames of war by sending arms to the country rather than supporting dialogue.

Now, the US has accused China of planning to send weapons to Russia in its war with Ukraine, warning Beijing that any supplies would cause a serious problem.

We have seen Chinese companies, and of course in China there's really no distinction between private companies and the state, we have seen them provide non lethal support to Russia for use in Ukraine.

The concern that we have now is based on information we have that they're considering providing lethal support.

And we've made very clear to them that that would cause a serious problem for us and in our relationship.

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State

Blinken said he had made it clear to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, during the Munich Security Conference, that Beijing would face consequences if it moved ahead with assisting Russia in the war.

• The M1 Abrams is the main battle tank of the US military and is one the most powerful and sophisticated tanks in the world, however, for Ukraine that is both an advantage and a problem.
  

  US to send M1 Abrams tanks despite being too complicated for Ukraine

  The M1 Abrams is the main battle tank of the US military and is one the most powerful and sophisticated tanks in the world, however, for Ukraine that is both an advantage and a problem.

The warning comes as the US has been the largest provider of weapons to Ukraine during the year long war with Russia.

In response to Blinken's comments, China rejected the accusation saying it's the Americans who are endlessly shipping weapons to the battlefield.

It is the US, not China that is providing a steady stream of weapons on the battlefield. The United States is in no position to make demands of China. We will never accept the US pointing fingers at Sino Russian relations, or coercing us.

Wang Wenbin, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson

China has expressed deep concern over the Ukraine conflict getting out of control. Beijing has also urged "certain countries" to "stop adding fuel to the fire" while simultaneously pledging to promote dialogue to resolve the conflict.

China has expressed "deep concern" over the escalation in the protracted Ukraine-Russia war, urging Western countries to "stop fueling the fire" and warning of the possibility that it could "spiral out of control."

China calls on US-led NATO to 'stop fueling fire' in Ukraine war

China expresses "deep" concern over the escalation in the Ukraine war, urging Western countries to "stop fueling the fire" and warning of the possibility that it could spiral out of control.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk