National Security Council Secretary John Kirby did not disclose any plan about a possible visit by the US President to Ukraine. During the February 10 briefing, his remarks were broadcast publicly on television, allowing viewers to hear the administration’s current stance in real time. The White House YouTube channel carried the update, making the information accessible to a broad audience across Canada and the United States who follow U.S. foreign policy developments.
In remarks following the briefing, Kirby indicated that he had nothing specific to declare about additional travel destinations for the American leader beyond what had already been disclosed. This statement underscored that no new trips had been publicly confirmed at that moment, and it left room for future announcements should plans evolve. The cautious approach reflected the careful coordination that typically accompanies high-level travel logistics involving a sitting president, allied partners, and sensitive geopolitical considerations.
Meanwhile, Karine Jean-Pierre, who previously served as White House press secretary, held conversations with leaders within the Bucharest Nine and with the Polish government. The Bucharest Nine, a coalition consisting of Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Bulgaria, was discussed in the context of regional security and unity in handling shared challenges. Reports suggested that President Biden would be visiting Poland from February 20 to 22, with expectations that he would meet with key regional leaders, including the Polish president Andrzej Duda. The overarching themes anticipated for these discussions included bilateral cooperation, joint efforts to support Ukraine, and a reinforced demonstration of NATO deterrence capabilities, signaling a unified stance in the face of ongoing security concerns in Europe.
On February 8, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre addressed the media and did not rule out the possibility of Joe Biden traveling to Ukraine in the near term. Her comments reflected an openness to potential regional engagements that could reinforce diplomatic signals and alliance commitments, especially given the evolving security landscape in Eastern Europe and the emphasis on sustaining Ukraine’s resilience through coordinated support from allied nations.
Earlier in January, Kirby suggested that Biden might travel to Ukraine, though no immediate date was announced at the time. He explained that the President remained in close contact with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, underscoring ongoing discussions at the highest level about security assistance, political support, and the broader strategy for countering aggression. The cadence of such conversations typically reflects real-time assessments of battlefield developments, diplomatic imperatives, and the readiness of allied partners to synchronize their efforts as part of a cohesive international response to Ukraine’s needs.