Biden announces more military aid to Ukraine and vetoes Russian ships in the US

US President Joe Biden announced Thursday a new $800 million military assistance package to Ukraine to bolster the country's resistance to Russia's invasion, which began on 24 February.

Speaking from the White House, Biden said the aid includes heavy artillery weapons, Howitzer guns and more tactical drones.

"We are sharing and will continue to share significant and timely intelligence to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression," he added.

He also said he would ban Russian ships from docking in US ports and accessing US shores, a move similar to one already taken by Europe.

Biden criticised the brutality of Russian forces in Ukraine and stressed that the most important thing is for the international community to maintain unity in the face of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The US president warned that Putin is betting on the unity of the West "breaking down", so it is important to show him that he is "wrong".

The White House reported that shortly before his speech, Biden received Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, who is visiting Washington, at the presidential residence.

The military aid announced today comes a day after Washington unveiled a new set of sanctions against a network of 40 individuals and companies, led by Russian oligarch Konstantin Malofeyev, that is allegedly helping Russia dodge Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine.