Peace In Our Time! Biden Will Remain In Kyiv To Guarantee War’s End

In his second surprise visit to the war-torn Ukrainian capital this year, President Biden, speaking atop the smoldering remains of an M1 Abrams tank, announced Monday morning that he would remain in Kyiv indefinitely to guarantee a cessation of Russian hostilities.

During a White House press briefing, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told reporters that the Kremlin was made aware of Biden’s visit ahead of time, adding that Russian officials agreed to “observe a moratorium on aggressive action” until US State Department Officials confirmed the President’s departure.

But Biden, keenly aware that leaders in violent conflict enjoy special protection from harm, has no plans to return home. Instead, he intends to remain on the ground in Ukraine for the foreseeable future, hoping that his continued presence will secure an implicit extension of that agreement and a permanent peace for the devastated nation.

A spokesperson for the Kremlin seemed to confirm this, stating in a press release that “To avoid further escalation, Russia will abide by the terms of the arrangement as they were laid out, protecting VIPs including the American President and only resuming military operations when we can confirm it’s safe to do so.” 

Addressing a handful of foreign correspondents, Biden underscored the moral imperative of his decision. 

“Look, folks [sic]…from where I  was standing where I was that day, at the end of the day [sic]…[it’s] the only right thing to do,” he said. “It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make.” 

Biden went on to state that Kyiv had “captured a part of [his] heart” and that he was expecting to enjoy his time getting to know “what’s left of the people, the places, and the nightlife.” 

In a speech to his nation Monday night, embattled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded Biden’s brave action, remarking it “couldn’t have come at a better time” and that “as a people, [Ukrainians] are eternally indebted to our American friend for his selfless commitment to peace.” 

Biden’s statement of intent comes as encircled Ukrainian forces attempt a desperate retreat from the eastern city of Bakhmut in the Donbas region, which has been the target of an all-out Russian offensive since late February. 

At home, lawmakers in Congress moved swiftly to introduce bipartisan articles of impeachment against the 46th President for what they claim represents a “treasonous offense against the commercial interests of the United States.” In a joint statement by House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), the two excoriated the administration for engaging in what they called “economic sabotage” by deliberately ending the war as part of an effort to punish defense companies for their meager donations to Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.

“If defense companies can’t be allowed to earnestly seek a profit, and employ thousands in the process, then what has this country come to,” said Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL).

Amidst the chaos in Washington, former Vice President Dick Cheney—who currently heads the Cheney Institute for the Advancement of Human Rights, a think tank with close ties to the Biden administration—stormed the West Wing in the hours after the President’s announcement demanding to know “when regular war would resume.” 

According to a CNN report, uniformed Secret Service agents had to subdue the former Halliburton CEO before forcibly removing him from the White House grounds. Capitol police later arrested Cheney on the National Mall after he allegedly strangled a young college student who refused to purchase a collectible calendar commemorating the 20th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq.

As reactions to Biden’s gambit for peace pour in from across the globe, Israel was quick to take a strong stance against continued Russian aggression, with PM Benjamin Netanyahu promising to “level the West Bank” in retaliation to any further violations of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

French President Emmanuel Macron also responded, saying that he “fully supports Monsieur Biden’s decision” and plans to retire with him to Kyiv as soon as his safe passage out of Paris can be guaranteed.

To ensure Russia’s ceasefire encompasses the whole of Ukraine, the Pentagon announced Tuesday that it would be awarding Tesla, Inc. with a $250 million contract to develop an electric school bus which it will deploy, under the command of Vice President Kamala Harris, as a roving military exclusion zone.

This is an ongoing story. The BHS Gazette strives to provide accurate coverage and will share the latest information as it becomes available.

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