Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during a meeting with senior military officers in Moscow, Russia on Dec 21, 2022. (VADIM SAVITSKY / SPUTNIK / RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY PRESS SERVICE / POOL PHOTO VIA AP)

MOSCOW/KYIV/WASHINGTON - The combat capability of the Russian armed forces is "increasing day by day" and Russia will certainly step up this process, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

"Today, our goal is to implement the entire scope of necessary measures to achieve a qualitative renewal and improvement of the armed forces," Putin said at an expanded meeting of the Russian Defense Ministry Board.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also stressed the importance of increasing the numbers of fighters and bombers operating in the zone covered by modern air defense systems, and called it "a pressing task" to upgrade drones

He ordered the military to maintain and improve the combat readiness of the nuclear triad, which is "the main guarantee that our sovereignty and territorial integrity, strategic parity and the general balance of forces in the world are preserved."

The level of modern armaments in Russia's strategic nuclear forces has exceeded 91 percent and "we will carry out all of our plans" to equip the strategic forces with the latest weapon systems, he said.

Putin also stressed the importance of increasing the numbers of fighters and bombers operating in the zone covered by modern air defense systems, and called it "a pressing task" to upgrade drones.

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While delivering a report at the meeting, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu proposed to increase the number of the Russian armed forces to 1.5 million servicemen, including 695,000 contract soldiers.

President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hold a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Dec 21, 2022. (ANDREW HARNIK / AP)

Biden's military aid

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden pledged visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to offer military aid, mentioning in particular the Patriot surface-to-air missile battery he just approved for Ukraine in a new tranche of security assistance totaling $1.85 billion.

The weapons package approved by Biden, according to a list from the Pentagon, also included "precision aerial munitions," which it didn't explain in detail regarding the type and quantity. 

US President Joe Biden stressed that the country is committed to ensuring that Ukraine continues to have the ability to defend itself "as long as it takes" during a joint press conference after a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky

According to US media reports, they might be the so-called "Joint Direct Attack Munitions," which would transform the unguided "dumb" bombs into "smart" bombs by the addition of fins and a precision guidance system.

Arriving in the United States Wednesday for a visit, Zelensky told Biden he wished to "come earlier" but was unable to because of the once difficult situation in Ukraine that has now been under control.

Although Zelensky was effusive in his praise for Biden, he didn't mince words when it came to the Patriot battery - the most advanced weapon system the United States has offered and something Zelensky has long asked for. He told his counterpart that just one such item is not enough for Ukraine.

"We would like to get more Patriots," Zelensky said to laughter from Biden, who stood next to him during a joint press conference held after their bilateral meeting.

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Biden stressed that the United States is committed to ensuring that Ukraine continues to have the ability to defend itself "as long as it takes" during the press conference.

Zelensky told reporters that he floated to Biden the idea of a "global formula for a peace summit" and offered "very specific steps what America can do to help us implement them." He didn't elaborate further.

The Ukrainian president said later while delivering a speech at a joint session of Congress that the peace plan he proposed contains "10 points," that the summit "can be held," and that "President Biden supported our peace initiative today."

On Tuesday morning, the House Appropriations Committee released the "Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023," which will provide Ukraine with $45 billion in emergency assistance. It is contained in a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government through fiscal year 2023

However, John Kirby, the National Security Council's coordinator for strategic communication, told CNN during a live coverage prior to Zelensky's congressional speech that while Biden "obviously wants to seek a just peace in accordance with what Ukrainian President Zelensky desires," as regards the peace summit, the administration will have to "study that a little bit more."

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In his address to US lawmakers, Zelensky requested for more weapons from the United States. "We have artillery, yes, thank you. Is it enough? Honestly, not really," he said.

On Tuesday morning, the House Appropriations Committee released the "Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023," which will provide Ukraine with $45 billion in emergency assistance. It is contained in a $1.7 trillion omnibus spending bill to fund the federal government through fiscal year 2023.

That $45 billion sum represents the biggest infusion of Washington's aid to Kyiv, surpassing even the White House's request made to Congress last month to ask for a $37 billion appropriation aimed at helping Ukraine in the ongoing conflict.

Kevin McCarthy, Republican member of the House who is expected to become the next Speaker, said after attending the joint session that Zelensky gave a "good speech," but "my position has never changed. I support Ukraine, but I never support a blank check."

Ukrainian soldiers ride in a Humvee in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Ukraine on Dec 21, 2022. (LIBKOS / AP)

Ukraine plans to offer cheap loans for business people and develop the eRobota program, which envisages grants for entrepreneurs to start or grow their small-sized businesses, the government press service reported

Businss support, exports

Separately, Ukraine's Economy Ministry will focus on supporting business and developing export opportunities in 2023, the government press service reported on Tuesday.

Next year, the ministry will strive to increase the volume of business assistance programs by implementing effective mechanisms to support economic activities, said a statement on the country's government website.

In particular, Ukraine plans to offer cheap loans for business people and develop the eRobota program, which envisages grants for entrepreneurs to start or grow their small-sized businesses, said the statement.

In an attempt to boost its exports, Ukraine will seek to extend the temporary duty-free trade regimes with the European Union, the United States and Britain at least for the period during which it is in conflict with Russia, it added.

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Besides, Ukraine will intensify efforts to unlock the Black Sea ports, in particular the southern port of Mykolaiv, and will develop infrastructure in western Ukraine.