Biden Announces 225 Million Dollars For Ukraine In Meeting With Zelensky

US President Joe Biden announced today a new military assistance package for Ukraine, worth 225 million dollars (207 million euros), in a meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, on the sidelines of the NATO Summit.

"Today I am proud to announce a new set of security systems for Ukraine," Biden told reporters in Washington, alongside Zelensky.

The US President stressed that this is the eighth package he has authorized since Congress approved 61 billion dollars (56.1 billion euros) in aid to Kiev in April, after months of a Republican blockade that caused a shortage. of weapons in Ukraine.

After the announcement, Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Biden for the help, calling it "very strong news."

"I am grateful to you, your team, your administration, of course, Congress, both parties, both Houses and all Americans for their vital and unwavering support of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Together, we stand saving lives," said Zelensky, dressed in his signature military gear.

The Ukrainian leader took the opportunity to recall on camera the attack carried out by Russia on Monday against the main children's hospital in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities, which caused at least 41 civilian casualties in the deadliest air offensive in recent months.

In relation to this attack, he thanked the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania and Italy for sending, in the coming months, air defense systems, including four Patriots, thus satisfying one of Zelensky's main requests.

In addition to anti-aircraft systems, the planned transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine is underway and will be completed this summer, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday.

At this NATO summit in Washington, which celebrates the alliance's 75th anniversary, leaders demonstrated their unity in the long-term defense of Ukraine.

On Wednesday, the allies committed to sending at least another 40 billion euros of military support to Kiev next year and classified future Ukrainian accession to NATO as "irreversible", although they avoided setting a concrete date.