Biden-Zelensky meeting / USA new aid of 225 million dollars for Kiev

2024-06-07 15:46:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US President Joe Biden met in Paris with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky where he announced a new $225 million military aid package for Kiev.

Mr. Biden publicly apologized to Ukraine for the first time for a months-long delay in U.S. military aid that allowed Russia to make progress on the battlefield, while the Ukrainian president called for bipartisan support for the United States, "just like during World War II." World".

Speaking in the French capital, where the two attended ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Europe, Mr Biden apologized to the Ukrainian people for weeks without knowing whether the country would receive aid as conservative Republicans in Congress blocked military aid to Ukraine of 61 billion dollars for 6 months in a row.

However, President Biden insisted that the American people were on the side of Ukraine. "And we continue to support you. Completely. In an all-round way", he said. Mr. Zelensky thanked the American people for their support and also the lawmakers who came together to pass the aid package that allowed Ukraine to restrain Russia from making advances in recent weeks.

"It is very important that the United States of America, all the American people stand by Ukraine as during the Second World War ," said Mr. Zelensky. "Just like when the United States helped to save human lives, to save Europe. We expect your continued support to stand side by side with us," said Mr. Zelensky.

The new $225 million package of US military aid to Kiev includes ammunition for the Rapid Mobility Rocket Artillery System, or HIMARS, mortar systems and large quantities of artillery shells.

Presidents Biden and Zelenskyy attended ceremonies marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied D-Day landings in Normandy, northern France, along with European leaders who have supported Kiev's war effort.

In a 20-minute speech on Friday in the National Assembly, the lower house of the French parliament, President Zelensky drew parallels with the sacrifices made during World War II and his country's current struggle.

"This battle is a crossroads," Mr Zelensky said. "A moment when we can write history the way it should be. Or become victims of history as it suits ... our enemy"./ VOA