In a public display of diplomatic forthrightness, President Joe Biden recently extended an apology to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the months-long holdup in American military assistance. The delay, which one might cheekily attribute to Congress working on "Ukrainian Standard Time," allowed Russia to make significant gains on the battlefield, much to the frustration of both U.S. and Ukrainian officials.

The $61 billion military aid package was held up by conservative Republicans in Congress for six months. During this period, Zelenskyy was likely refreshing his delivery tracking page, watching in dismay as the status perpetually read, "Arriving by end of never." The consequences were severe: shortages of ammunition and troops along a sprawling 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line made Ukraine's defense efforts anything but easy.

Biden reassured Zelenskyy that U.S. support for Ukraine is steadfast and will continue. "Next time, we'll use Amazon Prime," Biden quipped, perhaps showing his grasp of modern logistics—or at least, the shopping habits of the everyday American. This assurance came as a relief, considering the immediacy of Ukraine's needs. The U.S. committed to sending about $225 million in military aid, including prized items such as munitions for HIMARS, mortar systems, and artillery rounds. Given the evident delays, one could almost picture these weapons packages arriving with a "Sorry we're late" card.

Adding a layer of irony, the two leaders attended the 80th anniversary events of D-Day in Normandy, northern France—a historical reminder that when the chips are down, timely support can be a game-changer. Maybe someone should've whispered, "Remember D-Day logistics," during budget debates in Congress?

In the midst of these frustrations, Zelenskyy took the diplomatic high road, thanking U.S. lawmakers for eventually approving the weapons package. His graciousness was reminiscent of a gift recipient praising the wrapping paper long after the birthday party ended.

In a speech steeped in historical reverence, Zelenskyy likened the current U.S. support to American support during World War II. "Just like then, we are confronting a force that threatens the principles of democratic freedom," he said, pulling no punches in depicting the struggle as a clash between Western democratic freedom and Russian tyranny.

The slow pace of delivery of Western weaponry has long frustrated Zelenskyy. While he continued his whirlwind diplomatic tour, which included a visit to Paris where he met with President Emmanuel Macron and addressed the French parliament, Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of unity and continuous support from the U.S. One can imagine him thinking, "Next stop, FedEx headquarters."

While France has stepped up by promising to provide Ukraine with Mirage combat aircraft, every bit helps in a scenario where the stakes couldn't be higher. The struggle against Russia is more than a territorial dispute; it's a stand for the values that the Western world holds dear.

As Biden and Zelenskyy navigate this complex geopolitical landscape, their alliance serves as a reminder that the gears of international support may grind slowly, but persistence and unity are critical. At least next time, Biden has vowed to expedite assistance. An Amazon Prime subscription might just be a funny side note in the larger scheme, but it underscores a serious commitment to ensuring history doesn't record these critical moments as "delayed shipments."