Biden confirms steadfast US support for Ukraine with upcoming $45 billion in 2023 aid
Joe Biden (Photo:Voice of America)
During a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Dec. 21, U.S. President Joe Biden said the American people will “stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
“The United States and the American people will always be with Ukraine as it opposes Russian aggression,” said Biden.
“The light will overcome darkness. We are with you, Mr. Zelenskyy.”
The U.S. president added he’s looking forward to signing the upcoming bill – which includes $45 billion in 2023 military aid to Ukraine – into law.
According to Biden, Ukraine has won the battles for Kyiv, Kherson, and Kharkiv, each time proving that Russia had severely underestimated its opponent. He added that Zelenskyy is ready to discuss “a just peace,” but Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has no intention to end his brutal war.
In turn, Zelenskyy said the United States and Ukraine have become “true allies,” establishing a deeply substantive relationship.
“In 300 days of this war, we’ve opened a new chapter in U.S.-Ukrainian relations,” Zelenskyy said at the same press conference.
“We reached a level of a real allied relationship, which is 100% substantive in nature.”
Furthermore, the Ukrainian leader announced that the results of his Dec. 21 talks with Biden will bolster Ukraine’s defensive capabilities in the coming months.
“… we have a clear understanding of how our defensive capabiltieis will increase in the coming months; I don’t want to go into much detail right now, but I’m very grateful to President Biden,” added Zelenskyy.
On Dec. 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Washington with his first visit abroad since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with his U.S. counterpart, and will later address a joint session of the U.S. Congress.
The same day, the White House confirmed Ukraine will receive a Patriot air defense battery – as part of a $1.85 billion security assistance package. The United States have also committed to extend $13 billion in economic assistance to the Ukrainian government.
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