US President Joe Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy have discussed the situation in Ukraine by phone.

The White House released a statement after the talks. The statement says Biden commended the brave actions of the Ukrainian people who are fighting to defend their country. It says Biden also "conveyed ongoing economic, humanitarian, and security support being provided by the United States as well as our continued efforts to rally other countries to provide similar assistance."

Zelenskyy tweeted that he is grateful to the US for the strong support to Ukraine.

The two countries' top diplomats also spoke by phone on Friday.

During the talks, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken condemned Russia's attacks. He referred to media reports that an increasing number of citizens, including children, are being killed by Russia's air strikes and missile attacks near Kyiv. He stressed continued support by Washington to protect Ukraine from the Russian invasion.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted that he talked with Blinken about expanded military support for Ukraine.