Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Ukraine: Reporters kept the trip under wraps as the president traveled with a small group for security reasons

Just after 5 a.m. ET Monday, the networks began regularly programming special reports that President Joe Biden had made a surprise trip to Ukraine.

The president was already in Kiev at the time, having traveled there on a long train journey from Poland, and the news came as a reporting ban was imposed.

“I am here to demonstrate our unwavering support for the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Biden said during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Marinsky Palace. NBC News was on at 5:03 a.m. ET, with host Peter Alexander and other networks running their own reports throughout the morning.

The visit may have been surprising, but it wasn’t unexpected: Biden had planned a trip to Poland this week to mark the first anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine. It immediately sparked speculation that the president would cross the border into Ukraine and make a rare visit to a war zone.

“No meeting with President Zelenskyy is planned…. for the trip right now,” spokesman John Kirby said when asked by reporters Friday, emphasizing the words “now.” However, given the gaps in Biden’s schedule, it was suspected that a trip was planned.

Biden took off on Air Force One at 4:15 a.m. ET Sunday, with no events on his public schedule for the day. Only a small group of journalists were with him and they were asked to hand over their devices. The president’s entourage was also small, including Jake Sullivan, Jen O’Malley Dillon and Annie Tomasini.

Networks have already made plans for weekly anniversary coverage, adding to the reporting staff already covering the war in Kiev. For example, CNN’s Kaitlan Collins was in Ukraine to CNN This morning this week.

Biden announced $500 million in additional aid during the trip, but the purpose of the trip was undoubtedly to send a message to Russia about US involvement in Ukraine. “Americans have your back and the world has your back,” Biden said.

Biden and Zelensky once walked the streets of Kiev. At one point during the drive, air raid sirens sounded as they approached the St. Michael’s Cathedral. The visit also included a wreath-laying ceremony at the Wall of Remembrance, a memorial to fallen Ukrainian soldiers, and Biden’s visit to the US Embassy.

“I thought it was crucial that there be no doubt about American support for Ukraine in the war,” Biden said.