The visit had been prepared in the strictest secrecy until the end: US President Joe Biden has come to visit President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kiev for the first time since the start of the war around a year ago. Photo and video recordings show the two politicians taking great security precautions this Tuesday in the Ukrainian capital. According to international news agencies, there was an air alert during the stay.

The trip is seen, among other things, as a sign of solidarity for the country invaded by Russia in violation of international law. However, during his visit to Kiev, Biden also made commitments for further arms deliveries worth around 500 million US dollars, as the AP news agency reports.

The United States is Ukraine's largest arms supplier in the war -- according to the Pentagon, military aid provided so far is worth around $30 billion. The US government has repeatedly made it clear in the past that it will support Ukraine in its fight against the Russian invaders for as long as necessary.

The US President is also expected in the Polish capital of Warsaw later in the day. There he is supposed to give a speech on the occasion of the almost one-year war. The White House has repeatedly rejected speculation about a trip to Kiev in the past few days. Most recently, Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Melnyk spoke of a "surprise" that was being prepared for Tuesday in Kiev. In Moscow, meanwhile, a speech is also expected from President Vladimir Putin.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated several times since it was first published.

Sources: DPA, AFP, AP news agencies, Reuters