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A Surprise Visit

First Lady Jill Biden offers flowers to the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, in Ukraine, on Mother’s Day, May 8. SUSAN WALSH—AFP/GETTY IMAGES

On Mother’s Day, First Lady Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine. She met with that country’s First Lady, Olena Zelenska. The visit was meant to show United States support for Ukraine during the Russian invasion.

The First Ladies met at a school in the city of Uzhhorod. The school currently serves as a home for Ukrainians who have fled other parts of their country. Children living at the school participated in Mother’s Day activities. They made tissue-paper bears to give as gifts. Biden and Zelenska joined them.

“I wanted to come on Mother’s Day,” Biden told Zelenska. “I thought it was important to show the Ukrainian people that this war has to stop . . . and that the people of the United States stand with the people of Ukraine.”