As reported by RBK-Ukraine, Biden shared this in an interview with the MSNBC channel. This information is also provided by Kontrakty.UA.
"If we hadn't gone (to Kyiv - ed.), then who would have shown leadership? I didn't think of it as 'I must go to Ukraine.' I felt it was important for us to treat Ukraine as an independent country. I wanted to convey to them that we are with them," Biden stated.
In Biden's opinion, this was the best way to demonstrate support for Ukraine. According to him, he did not believe that Putin would attempt to threaten the life of the American president, but he was concerned about "radical elements in Ukraine that were working with the Russians."
"Therefore, we brought along the best people who were with us during the 10-hour train trip," Biden noted.
Biden's Visit to Kyiv in February 2023
In February 2023, U.S. President Joe Biden made a historic visit to Kyiv. This marked his first trip to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Biden met with President Volodymyr Zelensky to reaffirm the United States' support for Ukraine in its struggle for independence and sovereignty. During the visit, new military and financial aid packages were announced to strengthen the country's defense capabilities.
This visit held significant symbolic and political weight, as it showcased the determination of the U.S. to stand alongside Ukraine during a critical moment. While in Kyiv, Biden expressed respect for the Ukrainian people for their resilience and courage, and emphasized the importance of international unity in countering Russian aggression.
For more details about his trip to Ukraine - read in the material by RBK-Ukraine.
As a reminder, recently Biden mentioned that despite the claims of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin about capturing Ukraine in three days - that did not happen. He still has not been able to visit Kyiv.