US Biden Going to Europe, Visiting Poland Bordering Ukraine (Comprehensive)

President Joe Biden [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As U.S. President Joe Biden embarks on his European tour this week, he plans to officially visit Poland, which borders Ukraine, but will not visit Ukraine itself. Since Russia's airstrikes on Ukraine, many Ukrainian refugees have been heading to Poland.

According to AP News and others, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki stated on Twitter on the 20th (local time), "This trip will focus on supporting the people of Ukraine and continuing to unite the world against Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion." President Biden will attend the NATO summit and the European Union (EU) summit held in Brussels, Belgium, on the 24th.

Earlier, on the 15th, when announcing the trip plans, Press Secretary Psaki said, "We will discuss ongoing efforts to deter and defend against Russia's invasion and reaffirm our ironclad commitment to NATO allies," adding, "A meeting between President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is not currently being discussed."

Ukraine has long anticipated President Biden's visit. Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in a CNN interview the day before, "President Biden's visit would show that the whole world stands with Ukraine against Russia."

Despite Ukraine's expectations, President Biden chose Poland as his destination instead of Ukraine. On the 25th, he plans to hold a summit with Polish President Andrzej Duda in Warsaw, Poland, to discuss solutions to the Ukraine crisis. Foreign media expect discussions on support and other matters to take place.

The White House stated in a release, "Russia's unjust war in Ukraine has caused humanitarian and human rights issues," and "President Biden will discuss with allies and partners how the U.S. will respond."

Meanwhile, ahead of his European tour, on the 21st, President Biden plans to first discuss the Russia-Ukraine situation with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.