During a meeting in Paris, Presidents Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the delayed delivery of US military support to Ukraine. Biden apologized for the several-month delay...
Presidents of the USA and Ukraine Meet in Paris
Joe Biden apologized to Volodymyr Zelensky for several months' delay in delivering the support package to Ukraine. "I’m sorry for those weeks when you didn’t know what would happen with the funding issue", the US president said during the meeting in Paris. Earlier, the USA announced another tranche of support, which will soon reach Kyiv.
The presidents of the USA and Ukraine met in France, where celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy are ongoing. During the Friday (June 7) conversation in Paris, Joe Biden apologized to Volodymyr Zelensky for the several months’ delay in the delivery of military support to Kyiv. He also assured that Americans remain committed to helping Ukraine in the conflict with Russia.
"I’m sorry for those weeks when you didn’t know what would happen with the funding issue," Biden emphasized during the meeting described by the Associated Press. The delay was caused by the prolonged hold-up in voting on the aid package bill by Republican politicians in Congress.
The support, worth $61 billion, was finally approved in April this year. Biden assured that Americans will not abandon Ukraine in the face of the conflict. "The USA will be with you. You have not yielded, you have not given up. You continue to fight in a way that is unique, simply unique", he said.
In response, Zelensky emphasized that cooperation with the USA is of great importance to his country and is crucial in the fight against Russia.
"We count on your continued support and that you will continue to stand with us shoulder to shoulder"
said the President of Ukraine, quoted by the BBC.
On Thursday (June 6), the USA announced that another aid package worth $225 million will soon reach Kyiv. The Department of Defense informed that the tranche will include ammunition and anti-aircraft missiles. Additional funding will also support Ukraine in rebuilding its electrical infrastructure.
During the anniversary celebrations of the Normandy landings, Biden gave a speech in which he spoke about the sacrifice of soldiers who lost their lives during World War II. "Does anyone doubt that they would want America to stand up today to Putin's aggression in Europe? They would want us to do what is necessary: protect freedom, defend democracy, oppose aggression abroad and in our country," the US president said.