NEW DELHI: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to US President Joe Biden for his “unwavering support” of Ukraine’s independence in a phone call on Friday, just days before Biden leaves office.
Zelenskyy also offered condolences over the tragic wildfires in California, which claimed lives and caused widespread devastation.
Zelenskyy shared the details of the conversation on X and said, “I spoke with @POTUS and expressed my condolences over the devastating wildfires in California and the tragic loss of lives. I acknowledged the heroism of Americans who are working tirelessly to save lives and contain the spread of these wildfires.”
The call comes amid heightened concerns in Kyiv that President-elect Donald Trump, set to take office on January 20, may reduce US support for Ukraine. Zelenskyy thanked Biden for the critical role the US has played in uniting the international community behind Ukraine’s cause. “I also thanked him for the unwavering support of Ukraine’s independence and for the vital role the United States has played in uniting the international community,” Zelenskyy tweeted.
Biden has been a steadfast ally of Ukraine, providing billions of dollars in military aid and budget support to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression. Recently, the US announced nearly $6 billion in new military and financial assistance.
In addition to discussing the ongoing military support, the two leaders also focused on new sanctions aimed at Russia’s energy sector. Zelenskyy emphasized the significance of the sanctions, stating, “We discussed the details of the new US sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy sector, which helps Putin bankroll the war. It is significant that these sanctions now strike at Russia’s shadow tanker fleet and key companies such as Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, which funnel funds directly to Putin.”
The Biden administration’s efforts to provide Ukraine with military aid have been critical in maintaining Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s invasion, which continues to fail in achieving its strategic objectives. A White House press release highlighted the success of these efforts, noting that “Russia has failed to achieve any of its strategic objectives in Ukraine.”
Biden reinforced the importance of continued US support, stating that preserving Ukraine’s independence is essential for the entire democratic world. Zelenskyy echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for the continued assistance: “We deeply value President Biden’s words that preserving and protecting Ukraine’s independence is critical for all of Europe and the democratic world. We will undoubtedly stand firm and achieve a lasting peace for our people and our country.”
The conversation also included discussions on strengthening Ukraine’s air defenses to protect civilians from ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks. Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for the US-provided “Patriots,” which have proven effective in defending Ukrainian cities. “The ‘Patriots’ in Ukrainian hands have proven their effectiveness, and we must continue to enhance this capacity,” Zelenskyy added.
