Biden apologizes to Zelensky for months-long delay in military aid

In this picture provided by the US Army, US President Joe Biden gives a speech at the commemoration ceremony for the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Sgt. Landon Carter/Us Army/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

US President Joe Biden apologized to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for Washington's long delay in approving a sweeping new military aid package for his country.

Biden, during a meeting with Zelensky in Paris, said he wanted to "apologize" for the months-long hold-up in a $61 billion aid package, which was finally passed by Congress in late April.

The US president blamed "some of our very conservative" members of Congress.

"I'm not gonna walk away from you," Biden told Zelensky during a brief exchange of remarks made in front of reporters.

On Thursday, Biden and Zelensky took part in the commemoration of D-Day, the Allied landings in Normandy, France 80 years ago during World War II.

Zelensky addressed the French parliament on Friday morning. Biden is due to give a speech on democracy and freedom in Normandy on Friday afternoon.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (R) is applauded by France's Prime Minister Gabriel Attal (2nd L), France's Minister for Foreign and European Affairs Stephane Sejourne (3rd L) and former Prime Ministers Alain Juppe (4th L) and Manuel Valls (5th L) after a speech in the National Assembly. Julien De Rosa/AFP/dpa

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