Joe Biden has assured Volodymyr Zelenskyi that significant US support for the war against the Russian invaders will be maintained, despite opposition from some Republican lawmakers to providing billions of dollars in additional aid. “Mr. President, we are with you, we remain with you,” Biden told his Ukrainian counterpart after two hours of talks. Zelensky thanked him for the new $325 million military aid package, which includes weapons and air defense equipment, saying “this is exactly what our soldiers need right now.”

Ukrainian War: Day 576 LIVETEXT:

07:55 As a result of a Russian attack on a town west of Donetsk, near the eastern front, 13 people were injured, one of whom was pulled from the rubble, a local official said on Friday morning.

According to the administrative head of the city of Kurakhove, Roman Padun, there were two blows to the city, which caused a fire. He did not specify which weapon was used in the attack. Photos posted on social media show several buildings burning.

Kurakhove is near Maryinka, a frontline town still held by Ukraine but under Russian attack for months.

Biden: Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine “next week”

07:43 Zelenskyi will visit Canada on Thursday to meet with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and address parliament in Ottawa, Trudeau’s office announced Thursday night after Zelenskyi’s visit to the United States ended.

Zelenskyi will also visit Toronto to meet with Canadian business leaders to strengthen private sector investment in Ukraine’s future, the Canadian Prime Minister’s office said.

“Canada remains steadfast in our support for the Ukrainian people fighting for their sovereignty and democracy, as well as our shared values ​​of respect for the rule of law, freedom and self-determination,” Trudeau said. welcoming President Zelensky to Canada,” he added.

07:13 Joe Biden: Abrams tanks will arrive in Ukraine “next week”

01:16 The US Army has a new infantry chief of staff after a long stalemate

A quick summary of the latest information:

• Zelenskyi was at the Capitol, the Pentagon and the White House for a much more difficult visit than the hero’s welcome nine months ago, as some Republicans threaten to block the US president’s proposal for a new $24 billion aid package for Ukraine.
• In a closed-door meeting, Zelensky told US senators that military aid is critical to Ukraine’s war effort, Majority Leader Democrat Chuck Schumer said after the closed-door meeting. “If we don’t get help, we will lose the war,” Zelensky allegedly said, according to Schumer.
• Biden assured Zelensky that US support would be maintained despite Republican opposition: “Together with our partners and allies, the American people intend to make sure we do everything we can to make sure the world is with you.”
• Polish President Andrzej Duda assured on Thursday that Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s statement the day before that Poland is no longer supplying arms to Ukraine was misinterpreted.
• Bulgaria expelled the head of the Russian Orthodox Church in Sofia and two Belarusian priests on Thursday, accusing them of serving Moscow’s geopolitical interests, a move Russia called “diabolical.”
• A combined attack of drones and Neptune missiles on the Russian Saki airbase in Crimea. The Ukrainian military says it caused “serious damage”.
• On Thursday, Russia launched its biggest missile strike in weeks on Kiev and across Ukraine, injuring at least 18 people, damaging energy facilities and causing power outages.
• Due to the war on the border, Romania refuses to purchase corvettes and urgently refocuses on other types of ships. What does the Navy’s plan look like for the next decade.
• Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that he does not agree with the negative approach of other leaders towards his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
• Oil prices returned to gains on Thursday after Russia announced curbs on gasoline and diesel exports, reigniting market fears of a shortage.

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• Thursday’s events related to Russian aggression were broadcast LIVE on HotNews.ro