- Zelensky asked Biden for even more patriot missiles
- ‘We are in a war,’ he said
- Biden, meanwhile, appeared to read some of his answers to questions
- Two leaders held joint press conference at White House
Volodymyr Zelensky asked President Joe Biden for even more Patriot missiles on Wednesday, making his plea for another round of defensive weapons before the first ones even arrived in the Ukraine.
‘What is going to happen after the patriots are installed? After that, we will send another signal to President Biden that we would like to get more patriots,’ the Ukrainian president said during a joint press conference with the American president at the White House.
And when the audience in the room laughed, Zelensky, a former comedian, used the moment to his advantage: ‘We are in a war,’ he said in English with a shrug.
‘We’re working on it,’ Biden responded of the request.
Biden, meanwhile, vowed to Zelensky that the U.S. ‘will stay with you’ against Vladimir Putin’s invasion.
But he appeared to be reading answers to questions about how he will hold the western alliance together against Russia and while explaining why the U.S. isn’t sending even more powerful weaponry.
The American president appeared to read off note cards when he said of the alliance: ‘We have never seen a major invasion of a European country since World War II. And they see no signs that Putin is going to do anything to change that unless we resist and we help the Ukrainians resist. We all know what is at stake.’
And, when Ukrainian reporters joined Zelensky in pushing Biden for more advanced weapons so they can defeat Putin, Biden noted ‘we have given Ukraine what they needed, when they needed to defend themselves.’ And he read off a laundry list of financial aid and military assistance.
He also got a little jovial, telling that reporter that asked that Zelensky’s ‘answer is “Yes.”‘
‘I agree,’ Zelenksy deadpanned.
The few moments of levity underscored the seriousness of the visit.
Biden formally announced he was giving the Patriot Missile Defense System to Ukraine – a move that infuriated Russia.
Zelensky, however, called it an ‘important step’ and expressed his gratitude, saying it will ‘strengthen our air defense significantly.’ He also said he hoped Congress – even with Republicans taking over the House in January – would continue to offer his country financial aid.
Earlier in they day, Zelensky presented Biden with a merit medal from a Ukrainian soldier during his visit to the White House on Wednesday as he prepares to make his pitch for more military aid to defeat Vladimir Putin.
