U.S. President Joe Biden stressed yesterday (Thursday) “the importance of support to the Ukrainian people” in the wake of the massive bombing launched earlier by Russia’s armed forces.

The airstrike with a large number of missiles and drones is “outrageous” and “reminds us once again of the urgency and importance of supporting the Ukrainian people in their defense against Russian aggression,” the outgoing president said, weeks before he was replaced in the White House by Donald Trump.

Russian mass bombing has caused power outages across much of Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin presented them as “retaliation” to the recent use by the Ukrainian armed forces of US-made ATACMS missiles on Russian territory.

Against a backdrop of concern in Kiev and the West following the election of Mr Trump, who has repeatedly criticised the billions of dollars spent on military support for Ukraine, Mr Biden took the opportunity of the attack to trumpet his own administration’s support for the Ukrainian armed forces.

“On this day, my message to the Ukrainian people is clear: the US stands with you,” he insisted, recalling the magnitude of US assistance.

“Russia continues to underestimate the courage, resistance and determination of the Ukrainian people,” he asserted. “The United States along with over 50 countries stands with and supports Ukraine in its fight for freedom,” he added.

On the campaign trail, Mr Trump repeatedly promised to resolve the Moscow-Kiev conflict before he was sworn in on January 20 – without ever explaining exactly how. His promise raised concerns that Washington might turn off the spigot of military aid to Kiev.

The day before yesterday, Wednesday, the Republican mogul named the retired general. Keith Kellogg as his special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine war. The retired military officer loyal to Mr. Trump has urged Kiev to make concessions.

“Any future U.S. military assistance will be contingent on Ukraine holding peace talks with Russia,” he predicted in April.

He has also advocated the idea of “postponing Ukraine’s admission to NATO for an extended period” to “convince (Russian President) Putin to engage in peace talks.”