US 'standing strong' with Ukraine in Russia battle, Biden vows

In a swipe at Trump, he emphasises value of US-European alliances on state visit to France

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President Joe Biden on June 8 vowed Washington was "standing strong" with Ukraine as French counterpart Emmanuel Macron hosted him on a state visit shadowed by Kyiv's fight against Russia's invasion and the looming US election.

Speaking after visiting Normandy earlier in the week to mark 80 years since D-Day, Mr Biden repeatedly emphasised the value of America's European alliances in a swipe at his more isolationist election rival Donald Trump.

With Ukraine struggling to repel Russian advances over two years into the war and in desperate need of greater Western military aid, Mr Biden insisted that under his rule, the United States would not flinch in its support.

"Putin is not going to stop at Ukraine," he said alongside Mr Macron, after talks at the Elysee Palace.

"All of Europe will be threatened, we are not going to let that happen," Mr Biden said.

"The United States is standing strong with Ukraine. We will not, I say it again, walk away," he added.

Mr Biden, 81, is set to face his Republican rival and predecessor Trump later in 2024, in presidential elections that commentators predict will subject US democracy to a severe test.