Volodymyr Zelensky is visiting the United States and spoke with Joe Biden at the White House. – We will use all funds allocated by Congress to help Ukraine by the end of my term, Biden said. Later, the Ukrainian president met with Vice President Kamala Harris. – History has shown us that if we allow aggressors like Putin to occupy the territory of other countries with impunity, they will move further. And Putin could now look towards Poland, the Baltic countries and other NATO allies, she said.
During a meeting in the Oval Office Joe Biden stated that he was on the way to securing victory Ukraine sees “two key elements”. – First, we now need to strengthen Ukraine's position on the battlefield, which is why today I am proud to announce a new aid package worth $2.4 billion. I also recommended it Pentagon apportioning and allocating all remaining military aid funds that Congress has appropriated for Ukraine by the end of my term on January 20, which will strengthen Ukraine's position in future negotiations, Biden said.
He added that the second part of the plan is to provide long-term support for Ukraine through bilateral security agreements and economic assistance, including in the form of a PLN 50 billion loan repaid from future profits generated by frozen Russian assets.
Biden: We must strengthen Ukraine's position on the battlefieldReuters
Zelensky: thank you for your help, it gives us hope
Zelensky, in turn, announced that he would discuss the “victory plan” prepared by him with Biden, discussing details, coordination of positions and how to further strengthen Ukrainian plans. – Thank you for your strong support for decisions that are intended to protect Ukraine and Ukrainians and give us hope. We are grateful that Ukraine and United States they have stood shoulder to shoulder since the first moments of this terrible Russian invasion, he told Biden.
Zelensky: thank you for your help, it gives us hopeTVN24
Harris: Putin could be looking towards Poland right now
Immediately after meeting with Biden, Zelensky also met with Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate.
During the politicians' joint appearance, Harris assured that her support for Ukraine remains unwavering. – I proudly stood by the side of the Ukrainians. I will continue to stand with them and work to ensure that Ukraine triumphs in this war. To be safe and secure, the United States must realize its long-term role as a global leader, she said.
Harris: We remain firmly committed to UkraineTVN24
– We must stand by our allies and partners, defend our democratic values and oppose aggressors. We must also defend the international order, rules and norms. Each of these principles is currently under threat in Ukraine. That is why Ukraine's fight is important for the American people, she emphasized.
– History has shown us that if we allow aggressors like Putin to occupy the territory of other countries with impunity, they will move further. And Putin could now look towards Poland, the Baltic countries and other allies NATO – she added.
In her speech, she also referred to the candidates nominated by Republican candidates Donald Trump and J.D. Vance's completion plans war in Ukrainewhich assumes giving up part of Ukrainian territory Russiacalling it a surrender plan. – Without Ukraine, no issue regarding the end of this war can be resolved. But there are those in my country who would instead force Ukraine to give up large parts of its sovereign territory, who demand that Ukraine accept neutrality, and who will require Ukraine to abandon security arrangements with other nations, she said.
– These proposals are the same as Putin's. And let's be clear, (…) they are offers of surrender, which is dangerous and unacceptable, she said.
Harris: Putin could be looking towards Poland and the Baltic countries right nowReuters
Zelensky: A just peace can only be achieved with the help of the US
Zelensky also spoke. – We must end this war, we need a fair and just peace, we must defend our citizens, Ukrainian families, children from Putin's evil. We are grateful to the United States for supporting Ukraine throughout this time. This morning I also spoke with representatives of both houses of Congress. I am very grateful for the cross-party support, said the Ukrainian president.
– We believe that this war can be won, and a just peace can only be achieved with the help of the United States – he added.
Zelensky: we need a just peaceReuters
Zelensky's meetings with senators and congressmen
Earlier on Thursday, Zelensky met with groups of U.S. senators and congressmen from both parties on Thursday, presenting them his “victory plan” and seeking further support. According to the meeting participants, the talks did not concern Republicans' accusations of Zelensky's interference in the American elections.
The Ukrainian president first met with a group of a dozen senators, including party leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, and later with a wider group of congressmen. The latter group included Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries and the top Democrat on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory Meeks, but it did not include House Speaker and ranking Republican Mike Johnson.
The largest aid package ever
On Wednesday, Congress passed an interim budget. Contrary to Ukrainians' demands, the document did not include an extension of the president's powers to donate military equipment to Ukraine in the remaining amount of $5.5 billion, which expire at the end of the month. Therefore, the White House announced on Thursday morning the largest military aid package for Ukraine to date, using all available and unused funds under the Presidential Drawdown Authority (PDA) mechanism.
According to the White House, $2.4 billion is to be allocated to purchase weapons for Ukraine, and in addition, by the end of Biden's presidency, the Pentagon is to transfer weapons worth $5.5 billion to Ukraine from its own resources.
President Biden announced that, among other things, Ukraine will receive: a renovated Patriot system battery, as well as JSOW air-to-ground missiles with a range of up to 130 km.
Main photo source: Reuters