By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
President Joe Biden met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine to discuss U.S. support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s continued aggression.
The leaders discussed the state of the battlefield and ongoing U.S. efforts to provide Ukraine with the equipment it needs to defend itself.
During the meeting, Biden announced an additional package of security assistance for Ukraine, which includes a Patriot air defense system, air defense interceptors, and artillery and HIMARS ammunition.
Biden mistakenly referred to Zelenskyy as Russian President Vladimir Putin before correcting himself.
While correcting himself about two seconds later, Biden added: “Putin, you’re going to beat Putin, Zelenskiy. I am so focused on beating Putin.”
The room at the summit gasped when Biden misidentified Zelenskiy as Putin. The comments came at an event in the summit during which Biden launched an initiative with allies aimed at supporting Ukraine’s security needs.
Zelenskiy responded to Biden’s comments by saying, “I am better (than Putin).”
Biden replied: “You are a hell of a lot better,” as some in the room laughed, before Zelenskiy began his own address.
He has been under intense scrutiny in recent days and has faced doubts, including from members and donors of his own Democratic Party, about his re-election chances after a weak and faltering performance in a debate late last month against Republican former President Donald Trump.
Biden has thus far vowed to push on with his re-election bid and refused to step aside as his party’s presidential candidate, while claiming he is best positioned to beat Trump in the November elections.
Biden, while addressing delegates from 20 countries and the European Union, announced that they would support Ukraine’s immediate defense and security needs for its long-term security. He said that the Compact creates a unified and comprehensive security architecture to support Ukraine today and in the future, in war, and in peace.
Biden said that Ukraine’s security is integral to the security of the Euro-Atlantic region and beyond.
“[We] Emphasize our unwavering commitment to a free, independent, democratic, and sovereign Ukraine capable of defending itself and deterring future aggression… Underscore that Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is a threat to international peace and security; a flagrant violation of international law, including the United Nations (UN) Charter; and incompatible with our security interests,” he said.
US president added that as a part of the Compact, they intend to recognise Ukraine.
Biden said that they would support Ukraine’s immediate defense by providing modern military equipment and monetary support.
He added that they would help build Ukraine’s future with deterrence capability against future attacks.
Biden said that within the next 6 months, he will review and approve plans for development prepared by the leaders of the Capability Coalitions through 2027, to continue strengthening the force into the 2030s.
At the summit in Washington, NATO members have extended support to Ukraine to combat the Russian invasion that began in February 2022. The United States has been Ukraine’s most important partner in military assistance during the war.