Joint press conference of Zelenskyy and Biden following meeting in Washington. Main statements

Espreso TV broadcast a press conference of Ukraine and the United States presidents after their meeting in Washington.

Speaking to reporters, U.S. President Joe Biden said that it is an honor for his country to stand with Ukraine in the united defense against a brutal war against Russia. He noted the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people and reiterated that the U.S. would assist Ukraine as long as necessary and that Putin had already lost this war.

Biden also emphasized that Putin had united Europe and NATO member-states around the assistance to Ukraine. He noted that the members of the North Atlantic Alliance had never been as united as they are today.

During the press conference, Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the United States for their support and noted that the Patriot system provided by the United States to Ukraine "will significantly strengthen our air defense and will be an important step in creating an air shield over Ukraine". 

Answering the question about what a just peace is for him, Zelenskyy noted that there can be no just peace in the war with Russia. 

"A just peace? I do not know what just peace is. It is a very philosophical question. Is there a just war?" he said, adding that many Ukrainians who lost their relatives in the war live for revenge, and no material compensation is important to them. 

Zelenskyy also mentioned Putin in Washington. He called the Kremlin leader "a man with a sick and inadequate attitude to the world" and added that "he is no longer a subject in relations with civilized people."

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington on December 21. The Ukrainian president noted, he went to the United States "to strengthen the stability and defense capabilities of Ukraine." The Ukrainian President will also address the U.S. Congress and hold a series of bilateral meetings.

• On December 21, the U.S. announced a new $1 billion military aid package for Ukraine and an additional $850 million in aid. The aid package includes the Patriot air defense system.