IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser.

Photos: President Biden makes historic visit to war-torn Ukraine

The president entered a war zone without a U.S. military presence.
Image: President Joe Biden arrives for a surprise visit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on Feb. 20, 2023, in Kyiv.
President Joe Biden arrives Monday for a surprise visit with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv.Evan Vucci / AP
By NBC News

President Joe Biden made a clandestine trip to Kyiv, Ukraine, arriving in the war-ravaged country by train as part of a trip to commemorate the anniversary of Russia’s invasion. He met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the presidential palace.

The two leaders visited a monastery. Air raid sirens rang across the country as they men walked to a memorial to lay a wreath in memory of those who had died in the war.

Image: President Joe Biden is greeted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena, as he arrives at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv on Feb. 20, 2023.
Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, greet Biden as he arrives at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv on Monday.Evan Vucci / AFP - Getty Images
Image: President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska at Mariinsky Palace during an unannounced visit in Kyiv on Feb. 20, 2023.
Biden meets with Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, at Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv on Monday. Evan Vucci / Pool via AFP - Getty Images
Image: President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arriving for a meeting in Kyiv on on Feb. 20, 2023.
Biden and Zelenskyy arrive for a meeting Monday in Kyiv.Ukrainian Presidential Press Office / via AFP - Getty Images
Image: President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Ukrainian presidential palace on Feb. 20, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Biden meets with Zelenskyy at the presidential palace in Kyiv on Monday.Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via Getty Images
Image: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy watches as President Joe Biden signs the guest book at Mariinsky Palace during a surprise visit, Feb. 20, 2023, in Kyiv.
Zelenskyy watches as Biden signs the guest book Monday at Mariinsky Palace during a surprise visit to Kyiv.Evan Vucci / AP
Image: President Joe Biden meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Ukrainian presidential palace on Feb. 20, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Biden meets with Zelenskyy at the presidential palace in Kyiv on Monday. Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via Getty Images
Image: President Joe Biden shakes hands with Ukraine's Prime minister Denys Shmygal during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv, Ukraine on Feb. 20, 2023.
Biden shakes hands Monday with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal at a meeting with Zelenskyy at the Mariinsky Palace in Kyiv.Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AFP - Getty Images
Image: President Joe Biden walks next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he arrives for a visit in Kyiv, Ukraine on Feb. 20, 2023.
Biden walks with Zelenskyy for a visit in Kyiv on Monday.Evan Vucci / Pool via AFP - Getty Images
Image: President Joe Biden walks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral during an unannounced visit, in Kyiv, Ukraine on Feb. 20, 2023.
Biden walks with Zelenskyy at St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv on Monday.Evan Vucci / Pool via AFP - Getty Images
Image: President Joe Biden participates in a wreath laying ceremony at the memorial wall outside of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral during an unannounced visit in Kyiv, Ukraine on Feb. 20, 2023.
Biden participates in a wreath-laying ceremony Monday at the memorial wall outside St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv.Evan Vucci / Pool via AFP - Getty Images
Image: President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as they visit St. Michaels Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv, Ukraine on on Feb. 20, 2023.
Biden and Zelenskyy visit St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv on Monday.Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AFP - Getty Images
Image: President Joe Biden visits St. Michaels Golden-Domed Cathedral, in Kyiv, Ukraine on Feb. 20, 2023.
Biden visits St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv on Monday.Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AFP - Getty Images
Image: President Joe Biden walks next to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of St. Michaels Golden-Domed Cathedral as he arrives for a visit in Kyiv, Ukraine on Feb. 20, 2023.
Biden and Zelenskyy in front of St. Michael's Golden-Domed Cathedral in Kyiv on Monday.Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AFP - Getty Images
Image: President Joe Biden, right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hug as they say goodbye at the Memorial Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in Russian-Ukrainian War with photos of killed soldiers, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Feb. 20, 2023.
Biden and Zelenskyy hug Monday as they say goodbye at the Memorial Wall of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine in Russian-Ukrainian War, with photos of killed soldiers, in Kyiv.Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP
Image:
Biden on a train with national security adviser Jake Sullivan as he goes over his speech marking the anniversary of the war in Ukraine after a surprise visit Monday with Zelenskyy in Kyiv.Evan Vucci / AP
Image: Joe Biden
Biden walks down a corridor to his cabin on a train after his surprise visit with Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Monday. Biden took a nearly 10-hour train ride from Poland into Kyiv.Evan Vucci / AP

NBC News