Jill Biden visited the Ukraine in a surprise visit on Sunday where she met her Ukrainian counterpart Olena Zelensky and expressed American support for the embattled nation.
“I was able to make it on Mother’s Day. “I thought it was important for the Ukrainian people to know that this war must end and has been brutal. The people of the United States stand by the peoples of Ukraine,” she stated.
Biden, the president’s most visible representative to the country in war torn countries is Joe Biden. An East Wing official stated that she called President Joe Biden from her car after her motorcade left Ukraine for Slovena.
Due to security concerns, the visit was not announced. To reach Uzhorod by car, the first lady drove about a ten-minute distance from Uzhorod to reach a Slovakian border village. The first lady spent approximately two hours in Ukraine.
According to Michael LaRosa, the first lady had always intended to visit Ukraine’s schools as part of her travels. However, officials in Ukraine suggested that Mrs. Zelensky might be interested to meet with her. The last 10 days have seen this part of their visit come together.
Biden gave Zelensky, the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, a bouquet of flowers. Zelensky made his first public appearance since the invasion of Russia on February 24th, 2014.
The White House stated that the two first ladies exchanged letters over the course of the last week. The correspondence began with a letter that Mrs. Zelensky, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S., sent Biden in April. This was when Zelensky was one of the first ladies’ guests. In April, Zelensky wrote Biden again to express concern about the effects of war on mental health for soldiers, children and their families.
Zelensky, through Jill Biden’s translator, said, “First, let me say that I want to thank you for your very brave act,”
She said, “Because it is clear to us what it takes for the USFirst Lady to arrive here during a conflict where military actions are occurring every day and the air sirens can be heard all day,” She, her children and their families were in a safe place during the war.
Zelensky stated that while we feel support from the U.S. President and feel his leadership, Mother’s Day was a symbolic day. She added that she also felt your love and support on such an important day.
They also had a private meeting for around 30 minutes. LaRosa reported that Zelensky was asked by the first woman how she is doing as a mom and about her wartime handling. Zelensky expressed gratitude that she could hold her children’s hands each night, even though her husband isn’t there.
One of the first women visited Uzhhorod’s school for homeless people, where they found temporary shelter for 46 children and 163 other displaced Ukrainians.
The children joined other kids working on projects for their moms. They were creating cardboard bears and tissue paper bears that represent the Zakarpattia Obblast’s symbol.
Each woman worked with yellow and white tissue paper to create their bears.
Although President Joe Biden stated that he wanted to travel to Ukraine, he is currently not permitted to do so due to security concerns. The most prominent members of the Obama administration who have visited the Ukraine were Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. Nancy Pelosi, the Speaker of Congress, and others met in Kyiv with President Zelensky.
Jill Biden visited the country just hours before President Zelensky scheduled to meet with him and other western allies at a G7 virtual meeting. The first lady was in the Western part of the country as officials feared dozens of Ukrainians had been killed by a Russian airstrike in eastern Ukraine, where the fighting is at its strongest. Jill Biden wasn’t in danger.
Jill Biden, Olena Zelensky (wife of Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky), and Olena Biden
Jill Biden and Olena Zelensky — this is Zelensky’s first public appearance since February 24, when the Russian invader invaded.
Jill Biden and Olena Zelensky join a group of children in making tissue-paper bears
Jill Biden and Olena Zelensky have corresponded in the past few weeks, the White House said
At the conclusion of their visit, First Lady Jill Biden reached out to Olena Zelenska (spouse of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zilenskyy), to embrace her.
Jill Biden spent two hours visiting Ukraine Sunday. There she met Olena Zelensky and visited schools.
Jill Biden is not the only celebrity to have visited Ukraine during Mother’s Day.
Following President Zelensky’s invitation, Bono and The Edge from U2 performed in Kyiv as a surprise.
And Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a secret stop in Irpin, a Kyiv suburb targeted during Russia’s attempt to take the capital, and met Mayor Oleksandr Markushyn.
Trudeau’s Office released a statement saying that Trudeau was in Ukraine to speak with President Zelensky. They also reaffirmed Canada’s support for Ukrainians.
Bono and The Edge visited also the location of the mass grave of The Edge at Bucha in Ukraine, which is near Kyiv. Bono was seen praying during his visit.
He performed what he called a ‘Freedom Concert’ inside the Khreshchatyk metro station in Kyiv.
“Your president is leading the world to freedom now,” Bono said. Bono stated that the people of Ukraine were not only fighting for their own freedom but also for those who cherish freedom.
He rallied the people with his lyrics, adapting the lyrics of his song Pride to reflect the fighting in Ukraine.
“This evening (8 May), shots will ring in Ukraine’s sky but you’ll finally be free.” He said, “They can take your life, but they cannot take your pride.”
Andrii Holovine (second from the right), priest of Church of St. Andrew Pervozvannoho all Saints, guides Bono (center) & The Edge (right) to the location of a mass burial by the Church in Bucha, Ukraine, close Kyiv
During their visit, Holovine showed Bono and The Edge photos on his phone.
Justin Trudeau is the Canadian Prime Minister and inspects the damage to a building in Irpin (Ukraine).
Trudeau visited Irpin in Kyiv, an area targeted by Russia when it attempted to take the capital. He met Oleksandr Markshyn, its Mayor.
Bono, left, of U2 is seen performing with Taras Topolya, a Ukrainian singer, at a surprise concert held in Kyiv’s metro station.
Jill Biden’s secret tour was organized after Jill Biden spent Mother’s Day with Ukrainian children and mothers in Slovakia, and toured the region bordering Russia where they were able to help them flee the conflict.
“The American people’s hearts are with Ukraine mothers,” she said to refugees.
Jill Biden demonstrated soft diplomatic skills on this trip. The focus was on women and children. This is an area of special interest for the first lady who is also a teacher. There were many smiles and hugs.
She said she was inspired to make the trip by the images of refugees on television.
Biden said that she saw many mothers gathered their children and kissing their husbands good-bye before they left the United States.
“It just felt so intense and heartbreaking. Joe asked me if I could sit there and not do anything.
Biden visited a woman who tried to explain to her family the Russian invasion. Biden walked alongside a chain-length fence along the border to visit a tent city offering humantarian help, gave hugs, as well as met with students.
At a bus station in Kosice the first lady met Viktoriia Kutocha, a refugee and fellow teacher, who said she struggles to explain the war to her three children. Yulie, seven years old, was with her.
‘I cannot explain because I don´t know myself and I´m a teacher,’ Kutocha told Biden. They came to our land. They will kill you, but we say that they protect us.
Biden declared, “It’s so difficult to comprehend.”
Kutocha was so choked that she stopped breathing and began to pat Kutocha on the arm. “Thank you, dear,” the first lady replied.
Kutocha shared with us her journey from war-torn home and explained that her husband still lives there after he joined the fight.
How can you explain to a child this? She said it was impossible. She said, “I keep them safe.” That’s what I do.
Biden stated, “It’s absurd.”
Yulie then hugged first lady. She brought her mother to join the group hug.
One of six refugee camps in Slovakia, the 24-hour center is open to all. It provides services to approximiately 300 to 350 people daily – offering food, showers, clothing, emergency on-site accommodations and other services, according to information provided by the White House.
Most refugees who arrive in Slovakia transit through Kosice before moving on to other parts of the country or Slovak countries.
Biden also visited the Vysne Nemecke crossing at the Ukraine-Slovakian border, where refugees receive basic services before moving on to other processing centers further inside Slovakia.
It is used also by humanitarian organisations to deliver aid into Ukraine.
Around 2,000 people cross the border each day to this area. This is down from more than 10,000 daily in Ukraine immediately after Russia invaded.
Jill Biden is the first lady and talks with Victorie Kutocha, a Ukrainian refugee, and Yulie Kutocha (7 years old), in a Kosice-run refugee facility.
Biden hugs Victorie Kutocha and her daughter Yulie Kutocha
Jill Biden speaks with Slovakia’s Prime Minister Eduard Heger as she walks from Vysne Nemeck, Slovenia, near the border with Ukraine
Jill Biden went to mass at a tent near the Ukraine-Slovenia border.
Jill Biden thanked volunteers and the first responders for their assistance during her trip to the border
Jill Biden visits with Slovak, Ukrainian and Ukrainian mothers as they participate in Mother’s Day activities in Kosice (Slovakia).
Biden was the most prominent member of the administration who visited the border area. Although President Joe Biden traveled 60 miles to Ukraine, he visited Polish refugees.
During her border visit, the first lady attended mass under a tent. In honor of Mother’s Day, she wore a pink-and-white flower corsage that the president had sent her. She was joined by Eduard Heger, the Slovakian Prime Minister and Lucia Hegerova, his wife.
The priest opened the blessing by saying, “We pray for Ukraine’s people,”
A few hundred metres from the Ukraine border she visited a series of tents that had been constructed by various non-governmental organizations to help refugees.
She met volunteers who provide psychosocial support services to refugees and a tent operated by Slovak Catholic charities with food and other supplies.
The tent was stacked with gently used toys and pre-loved stuffed animals for children along with boxes of baby formula.
Biden visited the Tomasikova Street School (a Slovakian school which takes in refugees) as well. About 60 Ukrainian students attend there, which has offered Slovak language classes to support greater integration.
Her arrival was marked by a Slovak tradition of receiving bread with salt on it. After eating the bread, she watched students sing a song.
Biden explained, “I simply wanted to show you my support.”
They were working on Mother’s Day art and the kids offered to draw the first lady. Biden said that he had a cat in the drawing.
Jill Biden holds a Ukrainian boy during her school visit in Slovakia
Jill Biden is at the primary school located on Tomasikova, Kosice.
Jill Biden is shown by a little girl her artwork
Jill Biden will be on a 4-day European trip to raise awareness about the humantarian crisis
Ukrainian mom weeps after speaking to Jill Biden
They said that they talk to their husbands every day via video conferencing from Ukraine.
One woman, when asked what it meant to have the first lady there, said: ‘It means support for us. We’re very tired. We need emotional support.
Biden has just completed a four day trip to Europe, where she will be visiting with the displaced Ukrainians. Over six million Ukrainians have fled Ukraine after Russia invaded in February. The tour started with stops in Romania. She returns to the United States Monday.