Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked his counterpart Joe Biden on Thursday for the “vital” support of the United States to his country and welcomed the delivery of ATACMS long-range missiles.
Ukraine said on Tuesday that it had successfully used missiles with a range of up to 165 kilometers, which Washington had secretly delivered, for the first time.
“Ukraine is grateful for the vital and enduring support of the United States in our fight for freedom and against Russian aggression” Zelensky posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, after a phone call with Biden.
“Ukrainians are very encouraged by the delivery of ATACMS, and our warriors are putting them to good use on the battlefield.”
Zelensky also informed Biden about the Ukrainian parliament’s approval of an anti-corruption law which, he said, “advances reforms on the path to opening Ukraine’s EU accession talks”, a long-standing goal for kyiv.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that arms transfers would have no bearing on the war and would only prolong Ukraine’s “agony.”
Biden spoke by phone with Zelensky this Thursday to reiterate his support against Russia.
This exchange took place shortly before Biden’s address to the nation from the Oval Office of the White House, in which he will speak out in favor of providing more military support for both Ukraine and Israel.
According to a statement issued by the White House, during the phone call, Biden and Zelensky “They discussed Ukraine’s struggle to defend its freedom and independence in the face of Russian aggression”.
In addition, Biden stressed to Zelensky “the strong bipartisan support in the United States in favor of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic future of Ukraine.”
Despite Biden’s words of support, the Republican Party is divided on assistance to kyiv.
The majority of Republicans in the Senate, especially their leader, Mitch McConnell, support continued support for Ukraine over Russia.
However, some Republican members in the House of Representatives, where lhe legislators related to former President Donald Trump (2017-2021) have greater weight, they oppose this idea.
Trump himself maintains that no more aid should be given to Ukraine and has stated on several occasions that Europe should be the main provider of aid.
According to media such as The New York TimesBiden intends to ask Congress in the coming days to approve approximately $100 billion in emergency funds, aimed at arming Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan, as well as strengthening the border between the United States and Mexico.
Given the broad support, from both Democrats and Republicans, for assistance to Israel, the Biden Administration seeks to take advantage of this situation to link aid to Israel with support for Ukraine, in an effort to overcome the blockade with which has so far been met by the pro-Trump wing of the Republican Party.
(With information from AFP)
Source-www.infobae.com