Joe Biden has made a surprise trip to the Ukrainian capital on Monday morning ahead of this week's sombre anniversary since Russia's 24 February invasion of Ukraine.
Biden's visit to the war-torn capital follows from his previous trip to Poland, where he met with President Andrzej Duda.
On Monday morning, photos emerged of Biden walking the streets of Kyiv alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which BBC News reports is occurring on the same day that Ukraine commemorates the 107 deaths of anti-government protestors nine years ago.
As Joe Biden was reportedly leaving a church with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just before 11:00, air raid sirens sounded throughout the capital.
In a statement published by the White House, Biden confirmed his visit to the Ukrainian capital to "reaffirm (the US') unwavering and unflagging commitment to Ukraine’s democracy, sovereignty, and territorial integrity."
He also stated that in spite of Vladimir Putin's belief that "Ukraine was weak and the West was divided," the Russian President was wrong, with Biden set to announce a new slate of Russian sanctions soon."
Speculation had grown in Ukraine throughout Monday morning that an "important guest" was arriving in the capital, given the heavy media presence and the blocking of major roads.
The American President has been able to keep under wraps the fact he was Kyiv's guest of honour, making his first trip to the country since the Russian invasion of the country.
Biden had confirmed that he would speak with various European heads of state next week on how best to continue aiding the Ukrainian war effort for "as long as it takes."
