KYIV – US President Joe Biden will use his remaining months in office to strengthen Ukraine, a senior aide said on Sept 14, as Kyiv fights off Russia’s invasion for a third year.
Mr Biden withdrew from the US elections, which are potentially perilous for Ukraine as they could see Ukraine-sceptic Donald Trump back in the White House.
The prospect has raised fears in Kyiv, which relies mainly on the US for support and is preparing for Mr Biden’s handover in January.
Mr Biden is “determined to use the four months to put Ukraine in the best possible position to prevail,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said.
“President Zelensky has said that ultimately this war has to end through negotiations, and we need them to be strong in those negotiations,” Mr Sullivan said, adding Ukraine would decide when to enter negotiations with Russia.
Mr Sullivan was speaking via video-link at a conference organised by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation.
The US President will meet with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at the next UN General Assembly in late September, he said.
The two leaders will discuss how to best strengthen support to Ukraine, which is battling Russian advances in the east of the country.
“Ukraine has taken bold and assertive steps as well in the war. But that area around Pokrovsk is of unique concern,” Mr Sullivan said, referring to a logistics hub from which Moscow’s advancing forces are about 10km away.
Biden to use rest of term putting Ukraine in ‘best position’ against Russia
