Paris, France – President Joe Biden is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on Friday amidst escalating tensions between the United States, its allies, and the Kremlin over the decision to allow Kyiv to use American weapons to strike inside Russia.
The meeting in the French capital comes at a crucial moment for Kyiv’s military, facing a new Russian offensive in the north and intense attacks in the east, prompting Ukrainian leaders to seek support in loosening restrictions on Western weapons.
This meeting follows President Biden drawing parallels between the historic D-Day anniversary in Normandy and Ukraine’s current fight against Russia during recent events in France, underscoring the significance of the struggle for freedom and independence.
Biden and Zelenskyy previously met at the White House in December, where the Ukrainian leader lobbied Congress for new military aid. However, Kyiv has expressed frustration with the pace of military assistance, seeking more substantial support in their battle against Russian forces.
During the meeting in Paris, President Biden is expected to announce a $225 million weapons package to aid Ukraine, following French President Emmanuel Macron’s commitment to provide Mirage combat aircraft and train Ukrainian soldiers, in a bid to bolster Kyiv’s defense capabilities.
Despite the increased support for Ukraine, tensions between Kyiv and Moscow remain high following the decision to allow limited use of Western-supplied weapons to strike inside Russian border regions, prompting a strong response from the Kremlin.
President Putin of Russia warned of deploying arms to countries that could potentially strike the West, rejecting assumptions that he would not consider using nuclear weapons in retaliation. The ongoing conflict near the Kharkiv border region has strained resources on both sides, with Kyiv successfully stalling Russian advances.
President Biden has expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing that American weapons cannot be used by Kyiv to target Moscow directly. However, he remains steadfast in his support for Ukraine, drawing historical parallels to the Allied fight against tyranny during World War II.
In upcoming speeches in France, Biden is expected to echo sentiments on democracy and freedom, reinforcing America’s commitment to standing alongside its European allies in the face of aggression and ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.