First lady Jill Biden visited western Ukraine on Sunday for Mother’s Day.

When Biden arrived, she attended a surprise meeting with the Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska to ensure American support for the embattled country. Biden noted that it was important for her to visit on Mother’s Day specifically.

“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 this war has been brutal and that the people of the United States stand with the people of Ukraine," she said

Zelenska referred to Biden’s visit as a “courageous act.”

“We understand what it takes for the U.S. first lady to come here during a war when military actions are taking place every day, where the air sirens are happening every day -- even today. We all feel your support and we all feel the leadership of the U.S. President but we would like to note that the Mother's Day is a very symbolic day for us because we also feel your love and support during such an important day” she added.

Biden, who is a college professor, and Zelenska met in a small classroom that has become a transitional housing for Ukrainian migrants. They made tissue-paper bears with children who live at the housing for Mother’s Day gifts.

During her visit, Biden also traveled by vehicle to the town of Uzhhorod near the Slovakian border and toured a border processing facility.

The visit was limited to only the western part of Ukraine due to Russia’s presence in eastern Ukraine.

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