# Biden surprise — a visit to Kyiv {2023-02-20} **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** ukraine-invasion, breaking-news\ **Created:** [February 20, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086 "2023-02-20T14:56:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/1 "2023-02-20T14:56:35Z")
This should get you past the WSJ paywall… hopefully: > **[Biden Makes Surprise Visit to Kyiv in Show of Support for Ukraine](https://www.wsj.com/articles/president-biden-visits-ukraine-for-first-time-since-russias-invasion-30a7c8d3)** > > The president pledged half a billion dollars of additional aid on his trip to the Ukrainian capital, his first since the start of Russia’s invasion almost exactly a year ago. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/2 "2023-02-20T15:02:55Z")
Seeing the US president walking up the stairs with Zelensky at his side in that building in Kyiv in Feb-2023 was surely not what Putin had in mind in Feb-2022. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/3 "2023-02-20T15:09:42Z")
The timing of the visit - which could have occurred at any point over the last nine months or so - is undoubtedly intended to send a message a few days before the one year anniversary of the ‘special military operation’ (that just keeps getting more and more special with every passing week). It’s not going to be lost on Putin. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/b77776/32.png) [@Paul\_was\_in\_Saudi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_was_in_Saudi)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/4 "2023-02-20T15:27:57Z")
How did President Biden get in and out of the country? In any case, a visit was certainly called for. ---
**Author:** ![Mikkel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikkel/32/13151_2.png) [@Mikkel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mikkel)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/5 "2023-02-20T15:33:19Z")
Airforce One to Poland and train to Kyiv. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/6 "2023-02-20T15:49:00Z")
It’s a good morale play for Ukraine and the West. But it sure is going to boost Putin’s domestic propaganda line that Russia is in an existential battle of survival against NATO. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/7 "2023-02-20T15:56:50Z")
Nah, in Putin’s domestic propaganda, Biden has already visited three times and been assassinated on five of those visits. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/8 "2023-02-20T16:08:53Z")
The National Review (!) approves of Biden’s trip: > **[Biden’s Secret Trip to Kyiv Took Guts | National Review](https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/bidens-secret-trip-to-kyiv-took-guts/)** > > President Biden’s secret visit to wartime Kyiv is an example of America in its finest tradition. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/9 "2023-02-20T16:12:50Z")
Apparently, Russia was given prior notice. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/10 "2023-02-20T16:36:46Z")
With that in mind, why the air raid siren, theatrics? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/11 "2023-02-20T16:40:59Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > This should get you past the WSJ paywall Nope, still paywalled. It’s elsewhere in the news, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/12 "2023-02-20T16:53:25Z")
[Link to NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/02/20/world/russia-ukraine-war?unlocked_article_code=Pjp2Zq93aIwSmYsYjcFU4Woiq7o0JikVlRU-PTqrLqIb5c8uXZ8g-62C-DSVgKsBdOAGbLU0GMbuDUc5lqhNRyN0JW7ob-pkHwKrd3Be0FjsAZ23wSY5eAZU2iiX61TfvOU8HsVB56CbDuKoryIlKeLosvEN2fKfz5uv2XsfxHLLYhhdeMqXysfmRyAAuol5DGaQXEHHir2xHlnA6_k_8xGRryu0fBhBAReORnWQqDrXfWhcPbeR5N2eeBDzvecZjDTEN8MkMz9Eldom9MkC9qzZyHwHMi2vv-2kAcJXVO4FPhJOUrahz-a-4W_iYI-JCnqaRj0cUSmE2PQDkoaVZACvcw&smid=url-share) (gift link) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/13 "2023-02-20T17:12:47Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > Apparently, Russia was given prior notice. Of course. Because even Putin doesn’t want WW3 and you don’t want that starting accidentally due to a stray missile or artillery strike. > [@carnivorousplant](#): > > With that in mind, why the air raid siren, theatrics? Probably. I’m thinking that Mr. Biden riding the train from Poland to Kyiv might be a bit nostalgic for him, I don’t think he’s been allowed on trains since he won the election. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/14 "2023-02-20T17:19:13Z")
[![](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/1024/cpsprodpb/4306/production/_128685171_bidenvisit-hero2-getty.jpg) ](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/live-experience/cps/1024/cpsprodpb/4306/production/_128685171_bidenvisit-hero2-getty.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/15 "2023-02-20T17:22:01Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’m thinking that Mr. Biden riding the train from Poland to Kyiv might be a bit nostalgic for him, I don’t think he’s been allowed on trains since he won the election. The Secret Service probably decided that a Ukrainian train going through a war zone is safer than an American train going through Ohio. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/16 "2023-02-20T17:30:47Z")
Ultimately, the President has the final word on where he is and isn’t allowed to go. Everything the President does carries risk; it’s just a question of whether the risk is worth it. The President decided that this risk was worth it, so his Secret Service detail has to figure out how to make it as safe as possible, given the parameters the President has set. If he wanted to, the President could also insist on riding on trains across the US, and the Secret Service would have to go along with that, too. But he hasn’t decided that that’s worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/17 "2023-02-20T17:40:37Z")
Thanks for letting me know. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/18 "2023-02-20T17:44:29Z")
The obvious question is why did the SS refuse the trip on January 6th? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/19 "2023-02-20T18:06:26Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > If he wanted to, the President could also insist on riding on trains across the US, and the Secret Service would have to go along with that, too. But he hasn’t decided that that’s worth it. If the PotUS did ride Amtrak the required security would no doubt be disruptive to other passengers. I dimly recall something along the lines of Biden opting for other forms of travel as less disruptive to other people. In the case of visiting Ukraine, though, apparently train is the only way to go at present. ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2023, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086/20 "2023-02-20T18:06:58Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > With that in mind, why the air raid siren, theatrics? They sound air raid alerts whenever the Russians put a Mig-31K into the air, because they’re used to launch Kinzhal hypersonic missiles.These alerts usually come to nothing, because the Russians don’t have many Kinzhals and so don’t use them very often. You’ll note the Ukrainians weren’t taking much notice of the siren, whereas when they issue alerts about large waves of incoming cruise missiles they do seek shelter. > [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biden-surprise-a-visit-to-kyiv-2023-02-20/980086.md?page=2)