US first Lady made a surprise visit to Ukraine on May 8

U.S. First Lady Jill Biden made a surprise visit to western Ukraine on May 8 to meet with Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska to demonstrate U.S. support for Ukraine on Mother’s Day. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also visited Ukraine on the same day, announcing in Kiev more weapons and equipment for Ukraine.

Jill Biden’s visit makes her a high-profile visitor to Ukraine amid the conflict. Olena Zelenska also appeared in public for the first time since the conflict between Russia and Ukraine flared up.

Jill Biden to Olena Zelenska: “I hope to come on Mother’s Day.” Jill Biden hopes her actions will show the Ukrainian people that “The American people stand with the Ukrainian people.”

Zelenska thanked Jill Biden for her “courageous act.” “We understand what it takes for the first lady of the United States to come here.”

The two first ladies met at a school that is being used as housing for Ukrainian immigrants. Zelenska arrived at the meeting place first, and when Jill Biden arrived, the two got out of the car and hugged. Biden also wore a Mother’s Day ornament on his wrist.

The two sat down in a classroom and greeted each other in front of the media. The meeting then turned private. Half an hour later, the first ladies joined a group of children making presents, making bears out of paper towels for Mother’s Day.

The meeting allowed Jill Biden to complete an act of private diplomacy. President Joe Biden has said that when he visited Poland in March, he felt sorry, probably because of security concerns. He was not allowed to cross the border into Ukraine to see what was going on.

According to Jill Biden’s spokesman, the meeting was finalized in recent days. Initially, Jill Biden expressed interest in visiting the region, including visiting the school where she met, and spending time with Mothers in Ukraine on Mother’s Day. Ukraine then responded that Zelenska was willing to meet.

The spokesman also said the conversation was “more of a personal, mother-to-mother exchange.”

The two first ladies have also corresponded recently, but U.S. officials declined to provide further details on the matter, saying they were not authorized to discuss such personal interactions.

Jill Biden’s trip is part of a four-day trip to Eastern Europe. The four-day visit is meant to underscore U.S. support for Ukrainian refugees and Allies such as Romania and Slovakia.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a surprise visit to The Ukrainian capital Kiev on Sunday, where he blamed Russian President Vladimir Putin for heinous war crimes and announced a new shipment of weapons and equipment for Ukraine.

Trudeau spoke at a news conference after talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Trudeau announced more military assistance to Ukraine, including aerial cameras, satellite imagery, small arms, ammunition and other assistance, as well as funding for mine clearance operations.
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