US First Lady Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine during a trip to Romania and Slovenia where she was reaffirming US support for NATO allies.

Mrs Biden met Ukraine's first lady Olena Zelensky at a school in the border town of Uzhhorod which is currently being used as temporary shelter for displaced people.

The US first lady said she wanted "to show that the people of the United States stand with the people of Ukraine" adding that the war, now it its third month, had been "brutal" and had to stop.

Mrs Zelensky said it had been a "courageous act" to visit Ukraine.

"We understand what it takes for the US first lady to come here during a war, when the military actions are taking place every day, where the air sirens are happening every day, even today,” she said.

She added that the visit, on Mother’s Day, was very symbolic, adding: "We feel your love and support during such an important day.”

Mrs Zelensky has not appeared in public since the Russian invasion began on 24 February.

The two women later sat down and played with some of the dozens of children who are currently housed at the school, making tissue paper bears - the symbol of the local province.