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 to approve $61 billion in military spending for Ukraine, which was finally passed by Congress in late April.
The US president blamed "some of our very conservative" members of Congress for the postponement in sending more ammunition and other weapons to Kiev. In the meantime, Ukraine suffered a number of front line setbacks and Russia assaulted cities from the air with drones and cruise missiles.
"I'm not gonna walk away from you," Biden told Zelensky during a brief exchange of remarks made in front of reporters.
Biden then announced that more military support totalling $225 million was being sent to Ukraine.
The US Defense Department provided details, saying it includes missiles for Hawk air defence systems, ammunition for the HIMARS multiple rocket launchers as well as Stinger anti-aircraft missiles and artillery ammunition.
Biden praised the bravery shown by the Ukrainians, especially in the defence of north-eastern city of Kharkiv, which lies not far from the border with Russia and been under heavy attack.
In view of the attacks, Biden recently changed course and allowed the Ukrainian armed forces to use weapons from the US to hit targets on Russian territory - but only for counter-attacks in defence of Kharkiv.
With regard to the situation in the Kharkiv region, Zelensky said that Washington's recent decisions had had a "positive effect," but did not want to say more.
The Ukrainian president thanked Biden for the "significant" help from the US. "It is so important for the morale of our people that we are not alone," he said.
The United States is Kiev's most important ally and largest supplier of weapons in its defence against Russia. According to the Pentagon, the US has provided or promised Ukraine military aid totalling more than $51 billion since the start of the war.
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, while Biden was due to give a speech on democracy and freedom in Normandy on Friday afternoon.
According to the White House, Biden is planning a speech on the power of democracy and the fight against aggressors and autocrats against the historic backdrop of Pointe du Hoc on the northern French coast.
Pointe du Hoc is a stretch of coast in Normandy where Allied troops landed 80 years ago, on June 6, 1944, now known as D-Day, which marked the beginning of the liberation of France and Western Europe from Nazi rule.
The Allied forces at the time consisted mainly of US, British, Canadian, Polish and French troops.
Biden had already used a D-Day commemoration at a US military cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer in northern France on Thursday to call for the defence of democracy.
"We know the dark forces that these heroes fought against 80 years ago - they never fade," Biden said. He cited the Russian war against Ukraine as an example.
Biden's speech at Pointe du Hoc is not part of the official D-Day celebrations, but is likely to be aimed at a US audience in particular. Biden is in a tight race with Donald Trump for a second term in the White House.
Biden is in France for a visit lasting several days. After his stops in Normandy, he is scheduled to be received as a state guest by French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Saturday.