NEW DELHI: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US President Joe Biden during the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Biden, the Congress and the entire American people for the powerful assistance, primarily military, provided to Ukraine since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Russia. “I would like to thank you for being with us all these days, for standing side by side. We really appreciate it,” he emphasized.

Zelenskyy informed Biden in detail about the course of hostilities on the frontline, operational and strategic plans of Ukraine. The parties also discussed internal processes in the Russian Federation given the recent events.

Both the leaders paid considerable attention to further long-term defense cooperation. Zelenskyy noted the tremendous support from the United States, which has already reached $43 billion.

“But the United States is spending this money to save the lives of Ukrainians, and we are also defending a large part of Europe and the whole world,” he emphasized.

Zelenskyy noted the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council and the approval of the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine by the G7 countries.

“I know that other states are willing to support the G7 decision. And this will help tremendously, because these are very concrete things for ensuring security that you are doing for us,” he said. For his part, Biden noted that the President of Ukraine and the Ukrainian delegation had been able to feel the great support of all partner countries.

“You have already done a great deal of work, and I know you have a lot more to do. I look forward to the day when we're having the meeting to celebrate your official membership in NATO,” Biden said.

He noted the extraordinary bravery and fortitude of the entire Ukrainian people, who have been resisting large-scale Russian aggression for more than 500 days.

Meanwhile, in another event, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine must prepare for the next NATO Summit by winning the war with Russia, which will open the possibility of our country's membership in the Alliance.

“NATO membership will definitely come with victory. And it is clear to everyone: we have absolute unity that Ukraine will be a member of the European Union. This is absolutely fair. Ukraine has been fighting for such a future, a near future - to be an equal member of the European Union, a security alliance and an independent state,” Zelenskyy noted.