Zelensky, Biden discuss aid for Ukraine over phone

KIEV -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that he has discussed the allocation of a new aid package for Ukraine in a phone conversation with US President Joe Biden.

Zelensky said on Telegram that Biden assured him that he would sign the bill envisaging allocating military aid to Ukraine as soon as it is approved by the US Senate.

The defense package is expected to strengthen Ukraine's air defense as well as long-range and artillery capabilities, Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president informed that he also discussed with Biden the work on a bilateral security agreement and the preparations for the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland slated for mid-June.

On Saturday, the US House of Representatives approved the new aid package for Kiev worth about 61 billion US dollars.

According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the package includes 49.9 billion dollars for military assistance.

To come into force, the bill on embarking the aid for Ukraine has to be approved by the US Senate and signed by Biden.