Biden added that the United States has « done a lot » to make sure Ukraine has the « capacity to coordinate militarily. »
Biden also expressed a hopeful outlook on US-China relations on Saturday ahead of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Beijing this weekend.
Blinken was scheduled to visit China in February, but the trip was canceled after a US fighter jet shot down a Chinese spy balloon off the Carolina coast.
Biden indicated to reporters that the balloon may not have been a deliberate espionage effort by the Chinese government.
« I don’t think the leadership knew where it was, and knew what was in it, and knew what was going on, » Biden said. « I think it was more embarrassing than it was intended. »
In addition to Blinken’s visit, Biden indicated he would meet again with Chinese President Xi Jinping « in the coming months » to discuss how to « get along » despite « legitimate differences. »
Upon arrival in Philadelphia, where Biden is expected to lead a rally with unions and fly over the site of the I-95 bridge collapse, the president was greeted by Counsel Anita Dunn, Senator Bob Casey, Representative Brendan Boyle, Governor Josh Shapiro and Senator John Fetterman.
In a news conference with Pennsylvania officials following the air tour, Biden said « there is no bigger project right now in the country as far as I’m concerned, » and said he was leading his team « not figuratively, but literally, to move heaven and earth to do so as soon as humanly possible.”
Biden also pledged that the federal government would « reimburse 100% » of the first phase of the I-95 rebuild, and then « 90% » of subsequent expenses.
Asked earlier if he foresees a controversial presidential campaign, Biden joked, « It depends on who the candidate is. »
