Biden to Zelensky: You’ll never be alone

The US President Joe Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, who is making a historic visit to Washington, his first since the start of the Russian invasion of his country on February 24, that Kyiv will never be alone.

“Fighting Ukraine is part of something much larger,” Biden said during a joint press conference with Zelensky, pledging that the United States would continue to provide support to Ukraine against Russian aggression as long as it takes”.

US President Joe Biden said that his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, has no intention of stopping this brutal war against Ukraine, describing what Putin is doing as horrific, as he targets orphanages and schools there.

“You’re open to seeking a just peace, but Putin has no intention of stopping this brutal war,” Biden continued, addressing the Ukrainian president during the press conference at the White House.

President Biden also confirmed on Wednesday that he is confident that the Western alliance will remain united behind Ukraine.

“I am not at all worried about the solidity of the alliance,” Biden told reporters after a meeting at the White House with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

“I feel good about the solidarity and support of Ukraine,” he added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday, that the American promise to provide the Patriot surface-to-air missile defense system to Kiev is an important step in establishing an effective air shield.

“It is the only way we can deprive the terrorist state of its main tool of terror, the possibility of striking our cities and our energy,” Zelensky added at a press conference at the White House, alongside US President Joe Biden.

And the Ukrainian President announced on Wednesday, during a historic visit to Washington, his first abroad since the start of the Russian invasion of his country on February 24, that reaching a just peace that ends the war does not mean in any way compromising its territorial integrity.

Zelensky said during a joint press conference with Biden, “For me, as president, a ‘just peace’ doesn’t involve any compromise on my country’s sovereignty, freedom and territorial integrity, and also means compensation for all the damage caused by the Russian aggression”.

And the US President announced earlier, Wednesday, during his meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, that the United States “will continue to enhance Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, especially at the level of air defense,” while Zelensky thanked him for the strong support.

While receiving his guest in the Oval Office, on the first foreign visit by the Ukrainian president since the invasion of his country in February, Biden also assured him that he supports Kyiv’s aspiration for a just peace.

He said that the Ukrainian people remain “an inspiration to the world”.

Biden considered that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using winter as a weapon against civilians by targeting electricity and water networks.

“Thank you from our ordinary compatriots to your ordinary compatriots, the Americans,” said the Ukrainian president, who wore as usual military trousers and a shirt with heavy boots.

He expressed to Biden “gratitude from the bottom of my heart” for Washington’s role in confronting the invasion of Ukraine.

Then Zelensky presented a gift to his counterpart, a medal he received on Tuesday at the front from a Ukrainian soldier, whom he described as a “real hero,” explaining that he is a captain who operates a system to launch American HIMARS missiles.

He said to me, give it to the president Zelensky added, presenting Biden with a medal placed in a box embroidered with velvet.

The US president replied that it was a great honor, pointing out that, he in turn, wanted to present this Ukrainian soldier with an American medal.

During Zelensky’s visit, Washington announced a new package of military assistance, including the Patriot air defense system.

Later, the Ukrainian president will deliver a speech to the US Congress, which is preparing to vote on new aid to Ukraine worth about $45 billion.

Washington announced on Wednesday – shortly before a historic meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House – that the United States will send Ukraine additional military aid worth $1.85 billion, “including the first delivery of the Patriot air defense missile system”.

Zelensky, who is on his first foreign visit since the beginning of the Russian invasion of his country last February, arrived in Washington this morning.

The United States is Ukraine’s largest financial and military supporter.

“As long as Russia continues its brutal attacks against critical infrastructure in Ukraine, the United States welcomes President Volodymyr Zelensky to Washington, DC. today to reaffirm our continued commitment to the Ukrainian people,” Blinken said in a statement.

Blinken said the Patriot system “is capable of shooting down cruise missiles, short-range ballistic missiles, and aircraft flying at a significantly higher level than previously provided” by air defense systems.

Russian air strikes in recent months have targeted civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, such as power plants, resulting in complete darkness for periods of time and a lack of heating in parts of the country.

The Russian Kremlin warned Washington earlier that expanding the range of weapons provided to Kiev “certainly leads to an escalation of the conflict, and does not serve the interests of Ukraine”.

After meeting with Biden and holding a news conference, Zelensky is scheduled to address a joint session of Congress “demonstrating strong bipartisan support for Ukraine,” according to the White House.

A senior US administration official said earlier that the Patriot missiles would be part of a new US aid package, adding that the US is also scheduled to train Ukrainian forces on how to operate the system in a third country.

He hinted German government spokesman Steffen Hepstrit that Berlin may participate in the process of sending Patriot missiles.

He added that training Ukrainian soldiers on Patriot systems “may take place in Europe, and there is a greater possibility in Germany”.

And Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he is confident that Russia will win the war against Ukraine, during his speech to military leaders.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said he plans to increase the number of soldiers to 1.5 million, representing an increase of 350,000 soldiers.