Ukraine's Zelenskyy says he held phone call with Biden
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky delivers an address in Kyiv in this video grab taken from a video released by the Ukraine Presidency Press Service, March 4. AFP-Yonhap
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he spoke by phone with his US counterpart Joe Biden, Sunday, to discuss financial support and sanctions against Russia as his country faces an intensifying onslaught.
"As part of the constant dialogue, I had another conversation with @POTUS," Zelenskyy tweeted. "The agenda included the issues of security, financial support for Ukraine and the continuation of sanctions against Russia."
Hours earlier, the Ukrainian leader had addressed U.S. lawmakers by video call, pleading for further assistance to his besieged country and a blacklisting of Russian oil imports.
The American legislators promised an additional $10 billion aid package, but the White House has so far ruled out an oil ban, fearing it would ratchet up prices and hurt U.S. consumers already stung by record inflation.
Weapons, ammunition and funds have poured into Ukraine from Western allies, which have also imposed sweeping sanctions as they seek to bolster Kyiv against Moscow's invasion, which began Feb. 24.
Washington last week authorized $350 million of military equipment ― the largest such package in U.S. history.
While visiting Ukrainian refugees on the Polish border over the weekend, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that Washington was seeking $2.75 billion to help address the humanitarian crisis unfurling as nearly 1.4 million civilians flee the war. (AFP)