President Joe Biden is set to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris to discuss the recent decision to let Kyiv strike inside Russia using American weapons. This meeting comes as Kyiv’s military faces a new Russian offensive, and follows the D-Day 80th anniversary events in Normandy where Biden drew parallels between that historical battle and Ukraine’s current fight against Russia. The two leaders previously met in December when Zelenskyy lobbied for more military aid for Ukraine, but Kyiv has been frustrated by the slow pace of assistance.
During the upcoming meeting in Paris, it is expected that Biden will announce a package of $225 million in weapons for Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has also pledged support by providing Mirage combat aircraft and training a brigade of Ukrainian soldiers. Despite the new support, tensions between Kyiv’s allies and Moscow remain high, especially after the decision to allow limited use of Western-supplied weapons to strike military targets inside Russian border regions. Despite this, Zelenskyy is pushing for even more military assistance to better defend against Russian aggression.
The new support for Ukraine has angered Russian President Vladimir Putin, who warned of deploying arms to countries that could strike the West in response. He also criticized Washington and its allies for assuming he would never use nuclear weapons. Biden, however, emphasized caution in a recent interview, stating that Kyiv still cannot use American weapons to target Moscow or the Kremlin directly. Despite this, he expressed rhetorical support for Ukraine’s cause and drew a connection between the current situation and the Allied fight against Adolf Hitler.
Kyiv’s military remains outnumbered and outgunned, despite the recent support from Western allies. Zelenskyy has stated that the limited loosening of restrictions on weapon use is insufficient, and Ukraine is eager to obtain more long-range Western weapons to target deeper areas inside enemy territory. The meeting in Paris comes at a critical moment for Ukraine’s military as it faces increased pressure from Russian forces, making it essential for allies like the United States to provide necessary support to help defend against ongoing attacks in the region.
The meeting between Biden and Zelenskyy in Paris reflects the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with the United States and its allies working to support Kyiv against Russian aggression. The decision to allow limited use of Western weapons to strike inside Russia has escalated tensions between the two countries and raised concerns about potential retaliation from Moscow. Despite these challenges, the meeting provides an opportunity for the leaders to discuss further military assistance for Ukraine and strengthen their alliance in the face of ongoing threats from Russia. Biden’s support for Ukraine’s cause and his cautious approach to the situation highlight the complexities of navigating the conflict while honoring the historical ties between Western allies and the fight against tyranny.
