Russia shifts focus in Ukraine; Biden arrives in Poland


Russia shifts focus in Ukraine; Biden arrives in Poland
Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden is seen during the annual Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany February 16, 2019. REUTERS/Andreas Gebert - RC1740FFF0A0
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President Joe Biden on Friday expressed support for Poland’s efforts in helping Ukrainian refugees during a briefing on the humanitarian crisis sparked by the month-old war in Ukraine.

More than 2 million Ukrainians have fled to Poland since the start of Russia’s invasion of their country, and Biden will meet with Ukrainian refugees and American humanitarian workers Saturday in Warsaw, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.

“The suffering that’s taking place now is at your doorstep,” Biden said in remarks at Poland’s Rzeszów–Jasionka Airport. “You’re the ones who are risking, in some cases, your life and risking all you know to try to help. And the American people are proud to support your efforts.”

Polish President Andrzej Duda and other U.S. and international officials also attended. Duda thanked Biden for visiting Rzeszów, which has seen some of the largest influx of Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Biden said he was disappointed that he would be unable to go to Ukraine to see firsthand what is happening in the country. Biden on Thursday pledged $1 billion in U.S. humanitarian assistance to refugees fleeing the invasion.

“It’s just devastating to see those little babies, little children, looking at mothers who you don’t have to understand the language they speak. You see in their eyes the pain,” Biden said. “I don’t think there’s anything worse for a parent than to see a child suffering, their child suffering.”

Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue to mount fierce, effective resistance around the country with indications that they have pushed back Russian forces near some cities. Near Kyiv, Russian troops have dug into defensive positions and heavy fighting is happening just northwest of the city, a senior Defense official said Friday. 

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The Russians have largely turned their focus of ground troops and airstrikes on eastern Ukraine, said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence assessments. The shift, which the Kremlin appeared to confirm, could signal an important narrowing of Moscow’s military objectives as Russian forces appeared to have halted, at least for now, in their ground offensive in capturing Kiev, the country’s capital. 


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NIRAJ KUMAR