Joe Biden, former Vice President of the United States and current U.S. presidential candidate, paid a visit to Kyiv, Ukraine on December 7th, 2019. His visit marked the 29th anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence, a special event for the country. Biden’s visit was the highest level visit of an American politician in the last five years, returning in a way the warm relations between Ukraine and the United States.
The History of Ukraine’s Independence
Ukraine declared independent on August 24, 1991 and it was then recognized two months later at the Kiev Opera house by the joint session of the Parliament of Ukraine. The connection of Ukrainian people with the Soviet Union was severed and the nation resorted to new plans, processes and its own systems. Despite the wounds of the struggle, Ukraine was eager to embrace democracy and develop its economy to succeed among the European countries. The independence of Ukraine brought it closer to the U.S.
Why Joe Biden Came To Kyiv
Ukraine has a strong relationship with the United States and it’s the only nation without a U.S. embassy in Europe. The connection between both states is cordial and it brings many benefits to Ukraine’s economy and international relations. The significant distance from the European Union has made it dependent on the U.S., especially during times of struggle and battle for independence.
Joe Biden’s trip for celebrating Ukraine’s independence was an opportunity to honor the outcome of the struggle of the Ukrainian people and their nation to gain independence. As Vice President of the United States of America, Joe Biden was a great representative to show how much the United States cares about Ukraine and its people.
What Happened During His Visit To Kyiv
Joe Biden was welcomed by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and participated in a wreath-laying ceremony to honor Ukraine’s fallen heroes at the National Kyiv Memorial. Afterward, he and the President held a meeting with Ukraine’s top officials that was focused on how to strengthen the relationship between Ukraine and the United States as well as how to support a peaceful path to resolving the conflict with Russia.
Biden also gave a speech in Ukrainian when addressing the Ukrainian people. He emphasized the importance of the independence of Ukraine and the need to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty. His speech was a powerful reminder to the Ukraine’s people that the United States stands with them.
Joe Biden’s visit to Kyiv for Ukraine’s independence day shows how much the United States values the friendship between the two countries and its support to Ukraine in difficult times. The visit revitalized the sensation of peace, order and mutual respect.
The visit also brought opportunities for Ukraine such as the chance to get help from the United States to build resilient institutions and an open economy. This visit is an evidence that United States still stands by Ukraine strongly as it did in the past years and will continue with the same relationship under a Joe Biden presidency.
