Biden: No alternative to continued US support for Ukraine
US President Joe Biden on Thursday assured his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, of the United States' ongoing support, and said there was no "alternative" for Congress but to vote in favour of continued aid to Ukraine.
"I'm counting on the judgement of the United States Congress. There's no alternative," Biden said in response to a journalist's question about opposition from some Republican lawmakers to the passage of a new aid package for Ukraine.
Biden also announced that the first Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine "next week" to bolster Ukrainian forces in their counteroffensive against Russian forces.
"Next week, the first American Abrams tanks will be delivered to Ukraine," Biden said at the White House, in the presence of Zelensky, who is making his second visit to Washington since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The announcement of the Abrams tank delivery is a significant escalation of US military assistance to Ukraine. The Abrams is a state-of-the-art main battle tank that is considered one of the most powerful tanks in the world.
The United States has already provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in military aid, including artillery, anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons, and ammunition.
The Biden administration has said that it will continue to provide Ukraine with the necessary assistance to defend itself against Russia.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
