WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President Joe Biden told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy not to give up hope in his country’s fight against Russia’s invasion as the two leaders met in Washington to discuss support for Kyiv.
“We’re going to stay at your side,” Biden told Zelenskiy.
Earlier on Tuesday, Biden urged the U.S. Congress to fund additional aid before leaving for its holiday recess and also announced $200 million in separate military assistance for Ukraine.
Zelenskiy told Biden his country was becoming less dependent on aid and appreciated U.S. help in boosting its air defenses, adding that Kyiv was strong enough to win its war against Moscow. He also said he wanted to discuss Ukrainian integration with the European Union with Biden.
The two leaders were scheduled to hold a joint news conference after their meeting, which followed Zelenskiy’s visit to U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Caitlin Webber; writing by Susan Heavey; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
