Zelenskyy gives Biden a medal at White House as US pledges extra $1.85bn for Ukraine

22 December 2022, 02:40 | Updated: 22 December 2022, 04:29

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has given Joe Biden a medal during his White House visit as the US pledged an extra $1.85 billion for Ukraine.

Mr Zelenskyy handed his US counterpart the medal on behalf of a Ukrainian soldier.

Speaking at the White House, he explained that a man from Bakhmut had asked him to give his military medal to the US President.

"Undeserved but much appreciated," Mr Biden said in response.

He asked Mr Zelenskyy to take a challenge coin back to the soldier.

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Speaking in English, Mr Zelenskyy said "it is a great honour" to be at the White House, thanking Mr Biden and the "ordinary people" of America for their support.

"Thanks from our ordinary people, to your ordinary people, Americans. I really appreciate you," he said.

"I think it's really difficult to understand what we say when we say we appreciate... it's a great honour to be here."

It comes after the US announced that it would be providing a further $1.85 billion in military aid to Ukraine - including the first transfer of the Patriot air defence system.

The Patriot is an anti-missile missile used for taking down ballistic and cruise missiles.

Ukraine has been asking for the air defence system to help make a stand against Russian missile and drone attacks.

Most recently, Putin has been targeting the country's energy infrastructure, leaving millions of Ukrainians without power and water.