In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. President Joe Biden is set to hold face-to-face talks with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Paris on Friday. This meeting, taking place on the sidelines of D-Day anniversary events, comes with a substantial package of $225 million in military aid for Ukraine.
The meeting marks their first in-person encounter since Zelenskiy’s visit to Washington in December, where they grappled with opposition to increased aid for Ukraine from Republican quarters. Their discussions are anticipated to continue next week at the G7 summit in Italy, where the focus will be on leveraging frozen Russian assets to provide $50 billion in assistance to Ukraine.
Zelenskiy has been vocal about the urgency of Western aid decisions, lamenting delays in the process. Against the backdrop of the historic battle against tyranny commemorated on D-Day, President Biden drew parallels between that struggle and Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia, branding Russian President Vladimir Putin a “dictator.”
The $225 million military aid package includes crucial weaponry such as artillery rounds and air defense interceptors, aiming to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Amidst ongoing Russian offensives in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine has faced challenges in repelling the aggression.
President Biden’s recent decision to allow Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied weapons against military targets inside Russia, supporting the Kharkiv offensive, marks a significant shift in policy. Acknowledging the urgency of Ukraine’s weaponry needs, U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer emphasized the importance of artillery munitions and air defense interceptors, which are in short supply.
Beyond the physical battlefield, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine extends to economic and diplomatic realms. Negotiations regarding the use of frozen assets to support Ukraine’s cause have been complex, with Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh describing the process as akin to “sausage-making.”
As Singh continues negotiations in Italy, the Biden administration remains committed to supporting Ukraine’s defense while navigating the intricate diplomatic landscape of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.