Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2024

June 7, 2024

President Biden. Mr. President, it's good to see you again. Good to be by your side.

President Zelenskyy. Good to see you too. Thank you so much.

President Biden. Iâyou know, as I said yesterday at the American Cemetery, the Ukrainian people have been incredibly brave, never given up, never stayingâneverânever even yielding, and it's impressive. And you saw the reception you received when everyone stood and gave you a standing ovation. And they deserve itâyou deserve it.

And you know, you haven't bowed down. You haven't yielded at all. You continue to fight in a way that isâit's just remarkable. It's remarkable. And I'mâwe're not going to walk away from you.

I apologize for theâthose weeks of not knowing what was going to panâin terms of funding, because we had trouble getting theâa bill that we had to pass that had the money in itâ from some of our very conservative Members who were holding it up. But we got it done, finally.

And, since then, including today, I've announced six packages of significant funding. Today I'm also signing an additional package for $225 million to help you reconstruct the electric grid. And once we got the national security bill passedâthat was a political issueâwe were able to get it all done.

And the way you've stood and holding onâand holding the line in Kharkiv, and you've proven once again the people of Ukraine cannot and will never beâwill retake it.

And I assure you the United States is going to stand with you. I've said that all during this debate, and I continue to say it. The United States is standing with you. You are the bulwark against the aggression that's taken place. We have an obligation to be there.

And so I'm looking forward to having a detailed discussion with you about where we'll go from here. But we're still in completely, thoroughly.

Thank you.

President Zelenskyy. Thank you so much, Mr. President. First of all, thank you so much for your significant supportâyou, your administration. Well, we're very thankful from all Ukrainians to your military support, financial support, humanitarian one. And of course, it's very important.

And our meeting here is very symbolic. It's very important that you stay with us. This bipartisan support with the Congressâit's very important that in this unity, the United States of America, all American people stay with Ukraine.

Like it was during World War II, how the United States helped to save human lives, to save Europeâand we count on your continuing support and standing with us shoulder to shoulder.

Thank you so much.

And this big package which has been signed and supported and voted, and it's very important. It's so necessary for thisâfor the feeling of our people that we are not alone. We are with you, with our strategic partner.

And of course, we'llâI want, today, to speak about strengthening of Kharkiv region. You said already, it's so important. And your decisions have been very, veryâhad a very positive influence.

I don't want to share itâeverything, all the detailsâwith press. Sorry. But I think there are some details from the battlefield which you haveâwhich you need to hear from us. We are thankful for this.

Also, I want to speak about air defense totally on our territory. And we are thankful for participation in peace summit on the level of Vice President. Thank you so much. We think that we will have more than 100 countries, and I hope that it will be a first step on this way to peace. We need peace in Ukraine, but we will stayâanywayâstay strong.

And of course, I want to discuss some future events. Thank you, again.

President Biden. Thank you.

NOTE: The President spoke at 12:50 p.m. at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand hotel.

Categories: Meetings With Foreign Leaders and International Officials : Ukraine, President Zelenskyy.

Locations: Paris, France.

Names: Zelenskyy, Volodymyr.

Subjects: France, President Biden's visit; Russia, conflict in Ukraine; Ukraine, President; Ukraine, Russian invasion and airstrikes; Ukraine, U.S. assistance.

DCPD Number: DCPD202400493.