PARIS: US president Joe Biden on Friday for the first time publicly apologized to Ukraine for a monthslong congressional holdup in American military assistance that let Russia make gains on the battlefield, as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy appealed for bipartisan US support “like it was during World War II.”
Biden apologized to the Russian people for the month of unsure if more aid would be forthcoming while traditional Republicans in Congress held up a$ 61 billion military aid package for Ukraine for six weeks in Paris after they both attended rites marking the 80th anniversary of the D-Day flights in Normandy.
The Democratic leader, however, reaffirmed that the Ukrainian people would remain loyal to Ukraine forever. ” We’re still in. Totally. Thoroughly”, he said.
Even with all of Biden’s claims of an unwavering US devotion to Ukraine, reticence among congressional Republicans, and an isolationist stress in British politics, Zelenskyy’s plea for rock-solid support, similar to that of the allied coalition in World War II, served as a reminder of how Russian gains on the battlefield have been caused by separatist pressure and isolationist rhetoric. The possibility of Donald Trump’s election loomed over the discussion, despite what had already been said, as the former Republican president and the presumed nominee had praised Vladimir Putin, stoking Russian concerns about calling for the region’s cession of territory.
Zelenskyy pressed for the help of all Americans in his nation’s protection against Russian invasion, and he thanked lawmakers for finally putting together a resolution to review the weapons bundle, which has helped Ukraine stop Russian advances in subsequent weeks.
Zelenskyy said,” It’s very important that all American citizens stay with Ukraine like it was during World War II,” in this cohesion, the United States of America. ” How the United States helped to preserve human existence, to save Europe. And we rely on you to keep supporting us shoulder to shoulder.
Ukraine is attempting to stop a fierce Soviet offensive in its eastern regions, despite the fact that the United States is by far the country’s main supplier of military support. Kharkiv and Donetsk, the Russian border areas where the drive is being concentrated, had become a reality as Russia’s bigger military tries to use its benefits, according to Ukrainian officials.
The unpleasant is seeking to exploit Kyiv’s scarcity of ammunition and army along the almost 1, 000- mile ( 620- hour ) top line.
Zelenskyy has long been frustrated by the gradual supply of pledged American weapons, as has Biden’s difficulty in approving more technology out of fear of provoking Russian president Vladimir Putin. That has caused stress in their marriage.
The US will take about$ 225 million in military aid to Ukraine, Biden announced Friday. According to US representatives, the most recent offer includes ammunition for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, as well as cement techniques and a variety of artillery shells, according to US officials on Thursday.
In his conference with Zelenskyy, Biden referred to more air defense and missile defense systems in the new item as income to “reconstruct the energy grid” in Ukraine.
Some NATO allies, including the US, said last week that they would allow Ukraine to use weapons they deliver to Kyiv to carry out limited attacks inside Russia, easing their positions in the wake of Russia’s most recent atrocities and with the country’s army reeling.
The Kremlin reacted furiously to that action, warning that Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II might spiral out of control.
Biden and Zelenskyy attended the anniversary events of D- Day in Normandy, northern France, on Thursday, along with European leaders who have supported Kyiv’s efforts in the war. In a clear line from the struggle to liberate Europe from Nazi dominance to the present-day war against Russian aggression, Biden pledged” we will not walk away” from Ukraine.
Ukraine views its conflict with the Kremlin’s forces as a conflict between Russian tyranny and Western democratic freedom. Russia claims it is standing up for a ominous expansion of the NATO military alliance in the east.
In a 20- minute speech Friday at the National Assembly, the lower house of the French parliament, Zelenskyy drew a parallel with the sacrifices made during World War II and his country’s current fight.
” This battle is a crossroads”, Zelenskyy said. ” A moment where we can now write history in the way that is necessary. Or we can become victims of history as it suits… our enemy”.
Zelenskyy, who spoke in Ukrainian, was frequently interrupted by lawmakers ‘ applause and cheers. When he said,” Dear France, I thank you for standing by our side as we defend life,” he received a standing ovation.
French president Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, announced late Thursday that France will provide Ukraine with its Mirage combat aircraft.
Macron has vehemently backed Ukraine. He claimed in February that it was not “ruled out” to deploy Western troops to Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s formal ceremony at the site of Napoleon’s tomb, the Golden-Domed Invalides Monument, kicked off a day of meetings in Paris.
Zelenskyy was scheduled to visit the Nexter arms manufacturer in Versailles during the day. The company produces the Caesar self-propelled howitzers, which are one of the weapons that France has given to Kyiv’s forces.
He and Macron were scheduled to meet at the Elysee Palace as well.
Zelenskyy’s foreign trips aim to keep Ukraine’s plight in the public eye, secure more military help for its fight against Russia’s invasion and lock in long- term Western support through bilateral alliances.
In February, France and Ukraine signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement. Similar bilateral agreements have been signed by Zellenskyy with many European nations.
