President Joe Biden later this month will travel to Poland to commemorate one year since Russia invaded Ukraine’s territory last February.

What You Need To Know

  • President Joe Biden later this month will travel to Poland to commemorate one year since Russia invaded Ukraine’s territory

  • He’ll meet with Polish president Andrzej Duda and a group of NATO allies to reaffirm the U.S. and western countries’ continued support in a war that has led to nearly 7,000 civilian deaths and devastation across the country

  • The U.S. has so far pledged nearly $30 billion in security assistance since the war began

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made surprise trips to Britain and France this week to push for more Western support against Russia's military ambitions, including fighter jets

The trip to Poland will last two days, starting on Feb. 20, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced Friday.

He’ll meet with Polish president Andrzej Duda and a group of nearby NATO allies to reaffirm the U.S. and western countries’ continued support in a war that has led to nearly 7,000 civilian deaths and devastation across the country.

President Biden has previously committed to stand with Ukraine and supply military aid “for as long as it takes.” The U.S. has so far pledged nearly $30 billion in security assistance since the war began.

“He wants to talk about the importance of the international community's resolve and unity in supporting Ukraine, for now going on a year,” said National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

“Wouldn't it be great if the president didn't have to make a trip around a one year anniversary of a war that never should have started? Sadly, that's where we are,” he added. 

The Biden administration on Tuesday had approved a $10 billion arms sale to NATO ally Poland as Russia’s war in neighboring Ukraine rages.

Russia appeared to pick up the pace of its offensive against Ukraine, including on Friday, when they launched 71 missiles, strategic bombers and killer drones across the country.

Ukrainian forces downed 61 cruise missiles and five drones, said Ukraine’s military chief, Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made surprise trips to Britain and France this week to push for more Western support against Russia's military ambitions, including fighter jets, saying: “This is terror that can and must be stopped.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.