Biden speaks with Zelensky as Russia ramps up its attacks

President Biden spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday as Russia’s military assault on Ukraine showed signs of escalating on its sixth day.  

“The American leadership on anti-Russian sanctions and defense assistance to Ukraine was discussed. We must stop the aggressor as soon as possible. Thank you for your support!” Zelensky tweeted.  

A White House official said the two leaders spoke for just over 30 minutes. 

The White House said in a subsequent readout that the two leaders discussed U.S. assistance to Ukraine and sanctions imposed by the U.S. and European countries on Russia. 

“The leaders discussed Russia’s escalation of attacks on sites used by civilians in Ukraine, including today’s bombing near Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial,” the readout said.  

Biden has little on his public schedule Tuesday — aside from his State of the Union address in the evening. The speech is expected to reflect on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Biden and Zelensky have spoken three times in less than a week as Russia has undertaken a military campaign against Ukraine from several directions.  

Earlier Tuesday, Zelensky delivered an emotional speech to the European Parliament as he asked the European Union to grant Ukraine membership.

“This is the price of freedom. We are fighting just for our land. And for our freedom, despite the fact that all of the cities of our country are now blocked,” he said.

In coordination with European allies, the Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Russian banks and elites and unveiled export controls on key technologies to penalize Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.  

The U.S. and Europe also moved to sanction Russian President Vladimir Putin himself and over the weekend announced plans to bar some Russian banks from the SWIFT international financial messaging system.  

Biden approved $350 million in military assistance for Ukraine over the weekend and has asked Congress to authorize $6.4 billion in additional Ukraine-related security and humanitarian assistance. 

Update at 2:07 p.m.