Remarks by President Biden and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine Before Bilateral Meeting

Walter E. Washington Convention Center
Washington, D.C.

12:51 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  (Inaudible) this conference, but welcome, again.  And, look, you know, the last few months on the battlefield, you’ve shown that the stories about your demise are not true, that you’re doing — you- — you’re holding them back. 

And the fact is that over the past few months, the battle for Ukraine has shifted.  But Ukraine stopped Russia for Kharkiv, number one.  And you should be complimented for that.  Number two, you blunted Russia’s advances, you’ve imposed significant costs on Russia, and — and you made it clear Russia will not prevail in Ukraine — will not prevail in Ukraine.  Ukraine will prevail. 

And I want you to know we’re going to be with you every step of the way. 

Two days ago, I announced a historic donation of air defense equipment to Ukraine.  Today, I’m proud to announce a new security systems package for Ukraine.  This will be the eighth package I have authorized since we’ve signed the national security bill.  The Secretary of Defense, we can talk about what the details of all that are.  I signed it yesterd- — or last night, I guess. 

And — and we’re working with our NATO Allies to ensure Ukraine is flying F-16s this summer.  And we’ve showed the world that we stand with Ukraine now and in the future. 

So, Mr. President, thank you again for being here.  We got a lot of work to do together.  And I yield the floor to you.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Thank you so much, Mr. President.  Thank you very much for the invitation to the summit, and thank you for such strong news about secur- — new security package.  And I’m grateful to you; your team; your administration; of course, Congress — both parties, both chambers; and all Americans for — for their vital and your strong support of Ukraine and Ukrainian people.

Together, we are saving lives of our people.  You mentioned about Kharkiv.  Thanks to your support, and thanks to our soldiers.  Really, it was — it was tough work, but they — they did it. 

And together, we are preserving Ukraine’s independence and freedom.  And these are historic actions that will protect the world from — from similar wars. 

And I especially want to thank today President Biden for his support and personal statement following the Russian strike on the children’s hospital in —

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  That was sick.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY: — in Kyiv.  Yes.

This is our largest children’s hospital, and it was a direct hit by Russian missile.  That is why we have — greatly appreciate your decisions to strengthen our air defense — the five new Patriots and other — dozens of other systems.

And — and we have — and I want also to speak today how we can continue this support.  And I also want to discuss, Mr. President, how we can quickly and decisively stop Russian terror with this big problem for us, its guided bombs.  And, of course, we need some quick steps — some to lift all limitations for our Ukrainian soldiers. 

And, of course, we are thankful for — for — that you helped us to save our energy.  It’s tough (inaudible) for people without energy.  But anyway, we are thankful to you and partners.  And, of course, we will discuss achieving a just end to the war.

We must end this war justly and for peace to return as soon as possible.  We need a second peace summit this year.  Thank you for your participation.  And we are counting heavily on America’s support in this. 

God bless America.  Slava Ukraini.

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  We will stay with you, period.

Thank you, press.

PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY:  Thank you.

Q    Mr. President, your — is your decision final?

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  I support Ukraine to the end. 

12:56 P.M. EDT