‘I Apologize’: Biden Expresses Regret for Delay of Aid to Ukraine
US president offers Zelensky $225 million in reconstruction funds
President Biden apologized to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for months of delay in resuming US aid to his embattled nation.
Biden expressed his regret during a meeting in Paris, on the sidelines of the observance of the 80th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy during World War II.
Previous US assistance to Ukraine’s battle to repel Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s invasion ran dry at the end of last year. Renewed aid languished for months due to far-right Republicans in Congress, until Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson finally moved it to completion in April.
Biden, however, did not offer his apology empty-handed. He told Zelensky he was presenting Ukraine $225 million towards reconstruction of civilian infrastructure which Russian forces destroyed during Putin’s brutal campaign.
Biden and Zelensky met a day after the US president offered remarks for the observance of D-Day, which is seen as the Allied turning point in liberating Europe from the domination of Nazi Germany.
“You know, as I said yesterday at the American cemetery, the Ukrainian people have been incredibly brave, never giving up, never even yielding. It’s impressive. And you saw the reception you received when everyone stood, gave you a standing ovation, and they deserve it, you deserve it,” Biden told Zelensky. “And, you know, you haven’t bowed down, you haven’t yielded at all. You continue to fight in a way that is just remarkable. It’s just remarkable. And we’re not gonna walk away from you.
“I apologize for the weeks of not knowing to what’s gonna happen in terms of funding because we had trouble getting a bill passed that had the money in it. Some of our very conservative members have been holding it up,” he added. “But we got it done, finally, and since then, including today, I’ve announced six packages of significant funding.
“Today I’m also signing additional packages for $225 million to help you reconstruct the electric grid,” Biden said. “And once we got the national security bill passed, that was a political issue, we were able to get it all done.”
Biden vowed that the United States would continue to stand with Ukraine against Russia.
“And the way you stood in holding on, holding on Kharkiv, it proved once again the people of Ukraine cannot and will never be overtaken. And I assure you, the United States is gonna stand with you,” he said. “I’ve said that all through this debate and I continue to say it: the United States is standing with you.
“You are the bulwark against the aggression that’s taking place. We have an obligation to be there, so I’m looking forward to having a detailed discussion with you about where we go from here. But we’re still in, completely, thoroughly,” Biden added.
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