US President Joe Biden is in Kyiv. The surprise visit to an active conflict zone and meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is strongly symbolic --with the anniversary of Russia's invasion just days away.

"One year later, Kyiv stands and Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. The Americans stand with you and the world stands with you," President Biden said.

Biden used the trip to pledge another 500 million dollars-worth of military aid. And he said the United States' support for Ukraine will endure.

Friday will mark a year of fighting, and there's still heavy combat in Ukraine's east. Britain's defense ministry says Russian troops are under increasing pressure to secure a win before the anniversary.

But casualties remain high -- even among elite units. Experts suspect Russia will claim Bakhmut as captured, regardless of the reality on the ground.

Ukraine's allies are also looking to make a statement. Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio promised 5.5 billion dollars to Ukraine -- and offered to invite Zelenskyy to an online G7 summit he's planning for Friday.