The Democratically controlled Senate is to take up the measure on Tuesday and Biden promised to sign the law as soon as it was passed.
The US president underscored America’s “lasting commitment” to Ukraine “as it defends its freedom against Russian aggression”, according to the White House.
Biden said the US will “quickly provide significant new security assistance packages to meet Ukraine’s urgent battlefield and air defence needs”.
Zelensky said he and Biden also discussed “Russia’s air terror using thousands of missiles, drones and bombs” including a strike on the Kharkiv television tower just minutes before they spoke.
“Russia clearly signals its intention to make the city uninhabitable,” Zelensky said
Russia has exploited air defence shortages in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, to pummel the region’s energy infrastructure and harm its 1.3 million residents. Some officials and analysts warn it could be a concerted effort by Moscow to shape conditions for a summer offensive to seize the city.
Ukraine, West laud US aid package, as Russia warns of ‘further ruin’
Ukraine, West laud US aid package, as Russia warns of ‘further ruin’
The White House in a statement confirmed that Biden told Zelensky his administration will quickly provide aid packages “as soon as the Senate passes the national security supplemental and he signs it into law”.
“President Biden also underscored that the US economic assistance will help maintain financial stability, build back critical infrastructure following Russian attacks, and support reform as Ukraine moves forward on the path of Euro-Atlantic integration,” according to the White House.
Meanwhile, a bipartisan delegation of US members of Congress on Monday met Zelensky in Kyiv. The delegation included congressmen Tom Kean Jnr, Nathaniel Moran, Bill Keating and congresswoman Madeleine Deane.
Kean told reporters “we know that the needs of Ukraine are urgent” and US aid is “crucial to stem the tide of Russia’s assaults”.
Kean said Biden should use the authority in the bill to quickly deliver to Ukraine the weapons that it has requested, including the longer-range Army Tactical Missile System, known as ATACMS.
How the US can rush weapons to Ukraine once Congress finally passes new aid
How the US can rush weapons to Ukraine once Congress finally passes new aid
Zelensky said he discussed with the US lawmakers Ukraine’s need for artillery shells, long-range missiles, electronic warfare equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles, combat aviation and support in developing the Ukrainian defence industry.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse, Reuters