Biden apologizes for the delay in Ukraine’s military aid
US President Joe Biden has expressed regret to Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, for the tardiness in providing military assistance and has committed to offering $225 million (£191 million) in aid.
The two leaders convened for discussions in Paris, following their participation in the 80th anniversary ceremonies of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France.
The US Department of Defense has announced that the fresh aid package will comprise ammunition and anti-aircraft missiles.
In February 2022, Russia initiated a comprehensive invasion of Ukraine.
Biden attributed the prior aid delays to certain Republicans in Congress but reaffirmed unwavering US backing for Ukraine.
Addressing Zelensky, Biden stated, “The United States will stand with you. You haven’t bowed down. You haven’t yielded at all. You continue to fight in a way that is just remarkable.”
In response, Zelensky underscored the significance of the US-Ukraine relationship, emphasizing its critical role in countering Russian aggression: “We rely on your ongoing support, standing with us side by side.”
Following his meeting with Zelensky, Biden delivered an impassioned speech at Pointe Du Hoc, a historic site in Normandy where US Army rangers scaled cliffs to assault a Nazi stronghold on D-Day.
Reflecting on the sacrifice of those who perished on June 6, 1944, Biden remarked, “Does anyone doubt that they would want America to stand up against Putin’s aggression here in Europe today?”
“They’re calling on us to fulfill our duty: to safeguard freedom in our era, to defend democracy, to confront aggression both domestically and internationally,” he added.
Earlier in the day, Mr. Zelensky addressed the French parliament, saying the current conflict with Russia meant Europe was “unfortunately no longer a continent of peace”.
He also expressed hope that a summit hosted in Switzerland later this month could help bring an end to the war.
The Ukrainian president also met with French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit.
Speaking on French TV on Thursday evening, Mr Macron said Paris would send Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine and train Ukrainian pilots. He said training could begin this summer.
“You need normally between five, and six months. So by the end of the year, there will be pilots. The pilots will be trained in France,” he said.
Mr Macron also said Western allies would consider a request to send military instructors to train Ukrainian forces on the ground.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the French president’s comments showed that he was willing to take a “direct” role in the Ukraine conflict.
Friday’s developments come a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow could arm countries to attack Western targets.
Mr. Putin made the statement while criticizing the West’s delivery of long-range weapons to Ukraine. He did not specify which countries Moscow could supply with weapons.
Several countries including the US have given Ukraine the green light to strike targets inside Russia.
Mr Biden has permitted Ukraine to use American-supplied weapons to strike targets in Russia, but only near the Kharkiv region. The White House has said Ukraine cannot use long-range ATACMS missiles on Russian soil.
