President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris on Friday amidst escalating tensions between the United States, its allies, and Russia over Ukraine’s use of American weapons to strike inside Russia.
The meeting in Paris follows a new Russian offensive in the north and intensified attacks in the east, prompting Ukrainian leaders to urge allies to ease restrictions on Western weapons. This meeting comes after President Zelenskyy attended the 80th-anniversary events of D-Day in Normandy, where President Biden drew parallels between the historic battle and Ukraine’s current struggle against Russia.
The two leaders previously met at the White House in December, where Zelenskyy lobbied Congress for military aid. However, Kyiv has expressed frustration with the pace of assistance. During the Paris meeting, President Biden is expected to announce a $225 million weapons package, following French President Emmanuel Macron’s pledge to provide military support to Ukraine.
Despite these developments, tensions between Kyiv’s allies and Moscow remain high. The decision to allow Ukraine limited use of Western-supplied weapons to strike inside Russian border regions has angered the Kremlin. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of potential retaliation and criticized Western assumptions about Russia’s use of nuclear weapons.
Meanwhile, Russian troops have faced resistance in the Kharkiv border region, slowing their advance. President Biden emphasized caution in an interview, stating that Ukraine cannot use American weapons to target Moscow or the Kremlin. However, he reiterated the United States’ commitment to supporting Ukraine’s defense against Russian aggression.
Biden will deliver a speech on democracy and freedom at Pointe du Hoc, echoing former President Ronald Reagan’s sentiments, as part of the D-Day commemoration events.
