"Russia will not prevail. Ukraine will prevail, and we'll continue to stand by you every step of the way," Biden told Zelenskyy during their meeting in the Oval Office.
Zelenskyy expressed deep gratitude for the U.S. support. "We deeply appreciate that Ukraine and America have stood side by side," he said.
The aid package includes USD 5.5 billion that requires authorization before the U.S. fiscal year ends on Monday. Biden, who leaves office in 4 months, stated that this "surge in security assistance for Ukraine" is intended to help Kyiv "win this war."
As part of the package, the U.S. will provide Ukraine with Joint Stand Off Weapons (JSOW), long-range precision-guided munitions that can be launched from aircraft. Biden also called for a summit of allies in Germany scheduled for October.
Zelenskyy's visit has sparked renewed nuclear threats from Moscow. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced plans to expand Russia's nuclear doctrine to allow the use of atomic weapons in response to a "massive" air attack.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Putin's remarks as "totally irresponsible." European Union foreign policy spokesman Peter Stano accused Putin of "gambling with his nuclear arsenal."
Despite frequent opposition from some Republican lawmakers, the United States has provided approximately USD 175 billion in military and economic assistance to Ukraine since the conflict began.
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Source: PAP, AFP