US First Lady Jill Biden's Surprise Visit to Ukraine: "Cruel War Must End"

On the 8th (local time), U.S. First Lady Jill Biden (left), who made a surprise visit to Ukraine, presented a bouquet to Ukraine's First Lady Olena Zelenska. Uzhhorod, Ukraine ? Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Jill Biden, wife of U.S. President Joe Biden, made an unannounced surprise visit to Ukraine, emphasizing the solidarity between the United States and Ukraine. The visit is interpreted as a demonstration of U.S. support on the eve of Russia's World War II Victory Day.

According to the Associated Press on the 8th (local time), Mrs. Biden visited Uzhhorod, a western border town in Ukraine, to meet with Olena Zelenska, wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in celebration of the U.S. 'Mother's Day.' Mrs. Biden emphasized, "I wanted to visit on Mother's Day," adding, "It is important to show that this brutal war must end and that Americans stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people."

Earlier, Mrs. Biden began her Eastern European tour starting in Romania on the 6th, and on this day, she reportedly crossed the Ukrainian border by car from Slovakia to visit Uzhhorod. Mrs. Biden and Mrs. Zelenska met at a school in Uzhhorod currently used as a temporary shelter for refugees, engaged in conversation, and participated in charitable activities.

Mrs. Zelenska praised the visit, saying, "I understand that it is not easy for the U.S. First Lady to come here amid daily battles and air raid sirens, especially on a day like today," calling it "a courageous act."

Mrs. Biden's surprise visit is seen as a substitute for President Biden's visit. According to CNN, the Ukrainian government has repeatedly requested President Biden to visit Ukraine. His visit itself was expected to be the most definite and strong expression of support for Ukraine, which is fighting against Russia's invasion.

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