The visit of United States President Joe Biden to Europe featured a notable moment when he made an unscheduled stop in Kyiv on Monday, a gesture many analysts compare to historic displays by leaders such as John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. Political scientist Irena Lasota, founder and director of the Foundation for the Development of Democracy in Eastern Europe, noted the move as a defining highlight of Biden’s trip that day.
Following Kyiv, Biden continued to Poland. He arrived in the country Monday evening after his Kyiv stop, spent time with President Andrzej Duda on Tuesday and delivered a public address to the Polish people. On Wednesday, he participated in the Bucharest Nine summit, which groups together eastern flank allies of NATO: Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary.
Lasota, who leads a Washington-based democracy development foundation, said the Kyiv pause was the centerpiece of the visit and likened it to other bold gestures by past presidents during moments of crisis. She pointed out that such actions can alter the momentum of a conflict and signal political resolve on the international stage.
Lasota recalled that while many leaders have visited Kyiv in past years, Biden’s action carried a broader meaning for the United States and its possible future approaches, suggesting continued U.S. support for Ukraine across successive administrations.
“That’s a very far-reaching statement.”
According to Lasota, Biden’s stops in Ukraine and Poland are destined to be remembered regardless of domestic partisan perspectives. The president’s assurances to back Ukraine and to oppose a Russian victory were framed as central elements of his message during both stops.
Lasota underscored that Biden’s travel illustrated a renewed sense of NATO unity in the face of ongoing threats from Russia. She noted a shift from skepticism a few years earlier to a strengthened and more closely integrated alliance today, with reaffirmed commitment to collective defense and shared security goals.
From the perspective of NATO security and unity, Lasota highlighted Biden’s emphasis on the alliance’s Article 5 and the readiness of allied defenses in the event of aggression against any member state. The discussion, she pointed out, also touches on Poland’s borders, including the Kaliningrad region, emphasizing the vigilance required to protect NATO’s eastern flank.
Chisinau and Minsk
During a speech in Warsaw, Biden also referenced Moldova and Belarus, stressing the importance of democratic movements in those countries and their aspirations to join European structures. Lasota commented that this portion of the address signaled U.S. concerns about Russia expanding its influence and the resistance to such a shift in Central and Eastern Europe.
According to Lasota, the mere mention of Belarus and Moldova is significant because it demonstrates that the United States recognizes their ongoing political challenges and the need to prevent any further Russian advances in the region.
Hungarian politics
Lasota also weighed in on Hungary’s stance amid the war in Ukraine. She noted that it was prudent that Prime Minister Viktor Orban did not participate in the Bucharest Nine summit in Warsaw. In the current climate, she suggested, it may be necessary for Polish leaders to press him to reevaluate his position as the conflict has evolved beyond ideological lines. While Hungary has spoken of peacekeeping efforts and mediation, Lasota criticized certain Hungarian officials who have traveled to Moscow and Minsk and who maintain friendly ties with Russia, arguing that such associations complicate broader EU unity.
Lasota added that Hungary could face pressure from other EU states to provide additional support for Ukraine, while still hoping to secure favorable terms for its own interests.
In sum, the visit showcased a reinvigorated Western consensus on Ukraine aid and a reinforced commitment to collective security within NATO, with implications for how future administrations approach the region.