President Joe Biden met Friday in Paris with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and for the first time publicly apologized for the monthslong delivery delay in American weapons that has been exploited by Russia to make advances in its war on his nation.
Biden also reiterated the U.S. commitment to Ukraine, and announced announced another $225 million in aid to Kyiv.
"I assure you the United States is going to stand with you," Biden told Zelenskyy. "We are still in, completely," he added.
The one-on-one meeting between the leaders took place at Intercontinental Hotel in Paris a day after Biden made comparisons at ceremonies commemorating D-Day in Normany between the fight against the Nazis in World War II and Ukraine's battle for its homeland against Russia.
Zelenskyy in turn appealed Friday for bipartisan support for Ukraine "like it was during World War II."
Even as the men spoke Kyiv's army was under an intense onslaught in the north and the east.
France also stepped up its commitment — and aid — to Ukraine. French President Eammnual Macron said Thursday France will provide Mirage combat aircraft to Ukraine, and and train a brigade of Ukrainian soldiers, NBC News reported.
Zelenskyy has been desperately pushing for more help as his troops remain outnumbered and outgunned.
Tensions, meanwhile, between Russia and Ukraine's NATO allies has soared with following the decision to allow Ukraine a limited use of Western weapons to strike military targets inside Russia.
A furious Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that he could provide NATO enemies with long-range weapons to attack the West, and has again raised the specter of nuclear war.
