Biden apologises to Zelensky for delay in Ukraine military aid


US President Joe Biden has apologised to his counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky for delays in army help to Ukraine and has pledged $225m (£191m) in assist.

The pair met for talks in Paris, a day after they each attended the eightieth anniversary commemorations of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France.

The US Division of Protection mentioned the brand new help bundle would come with ammunition and anti-aircraft missiles.

Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Mr Biden mentioned earlier delays in help had been brought on by some Republicans in Congress, however reiterated US assist for Ukraine.

“The US will stand with you,” Mr Biden informed Mr Zelensky. “You have not bowed down. You have not yielded in any respect. You proceed to struggle in a approach that’s simply outstanding, simply outstanding.”

In response, Mr Zelensky pressured the significance of his nation’s relationship with the US, saying it was essential within the struggle in opposition to Russia: “We rely in your persevering with assist in staying with us shoulder to shoulder.”

After assembly Mr Zelensky, Mr Biden made a passionate speech at Pointe Du Hoc, a web site in Normandy the place US military rangers scaled a cliff to storm a Nazi stronghold on D-Day.

The US president spoke in regards to the sacrifice of those that misplaced their lives on 6 June 1944, saying they might need “us to remain true to what America stands for”.

“They’re asking us to do our job: to guard freedom in our time, to defend democracy, to face as much as aggression overseas and at dwelling,” he added.

Earlier within the day, Mr Zelensky addressed the French parliament, saying the present battle with Russia meant Europe was “sadly now not a continent of peace”.

He additionally expressed hope {that a} summit hosted in Switzerland later this month may assist convey an finish to the warfare.

The Ukrainian president is because of meet with French President Emmanuel Macron throughout his go to.

Talking on French TV on Thursday night, Mr Macron mentioned Paris would ship Mirage 2000 fighter jets to Ukraine and practice Ukrainian pilots. He mentioned coaching may start this summer season.

“You want usually between 5, six months. So by the top of the yr there can be pilots. The pilots can be skilled in France,” he mentioned.

Mr Macron additionally mentioned Western allies would contemplate a request to ship army instructors to coach Ukrainian forces on the bottom.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned the French president’s feedback confirmed that he was keen to take a “direct” function within the Ukraine battle.

Friday’s developments come a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow could arm countries with a view to attacking Western targets.

Mr Putin made the assertion whereas criticising the West’s supply of long-range weapons to Ukraine. He didn’t specify which nations Moscow may provide with weapons.

A number of nations together with the US have given Ukraine the inexperienced mild to strike targets inside Russia.

Mr Biden has given Ukraine permission to use American-supplied weapons to strike targets in Russia, however solely close to the Kharkiv area. The White Home has mentioned Ukraine can not use long-range ATACMS missiles on Russian soil.



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