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US President Joe Biden has said the conflict in Ukraine is at a critical juncture. Photo/SCMP
His remarks came after Ukraine rejected a Russian offer for an Orthodox Christmas truce.
“Right now, the war in Ukraine is at a critical juncture. We must do everything we can to help Ukraine counter Russian aggression, and Russia is not trying to slow it down,” Biden said during a meeting at the White House.
“This afternoon I had a long discussion with (German Chancellor) Olaf Scholz and – about Ukraine – and our alliances in Europe and the European Union. We have a much larger contingent of countries that share our views, including Japan and others,” he added Russia TodayFriday (6/1/2023).
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Biden highlighted Washington’s recent decision to supply Kiev with Bradley fighting vehicles and a battery of Patriot air defense missiles in an effort to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities.
“They work well and help a lot,” Biden said.
Russia launched its military operation in Ukraine in late February, citing the need to protect the people of Donbass and Kiev’s inability to implement the 2014-2015 Minsk peace accord. Western powers have responded by imposing sweeping sanctions on Moscow and sending a steady stream of weapons to Ukraine, despite Kremlin warnings that foreign weapons would only prolong the conflict.
Kiev and its Western supporters have rejected calls by Russian President Vladimir Putin for a 36-hour ceasefire from Friday afternoon to midnight on Saturday to allow Orthodox Christians, who form the majority in Ukraine and Russia, to celebrate Christmas .
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