US President Joe Biden expressed his apologies to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the delay in passing a new military aid package, which faced opposition from Republicans in Congress, as reported by CNN.
During a bilateral meeting with Zelenskyy, Biden commended Ukraine’s resilience and pledged unwavering support, acknowledging the challenges they faced in securing the necessary funding. He apologized for the weeks of uncertainty due to opposition from conservative members, but assured Zelenskyy of their commitment to providing assistance.
Biden highlighted the recent announcement of a new aid package and emphasized the additional funding allocated to Ukraine since April. He announced an additional USD 225 million for reconstructing the electric grid.
Zelenskyy, while inviting countries to attend the Ukraine Peace Summit, emphasized the urgency of addressing issues such as the return of Ukrainian children allegedly abducted by Russia. He underscored the importance of open dialogue and unity among nations, with over 100 countries and international organizations confirming their participation in the Summit.
The White House confirmed that President Biden will not attend the Ukraine peace summit, but Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Switzerland next week to participate, accompanied by US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
