President Biden apologized to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for Congress’s lengthy delay in approving $61 billion more for the war effort.

He delivered the message Friday on the sidelines of D-Day commemorations in Paris, and he faulted Republican lawmakers for the six-month delay before the aid package was approved in April.

“I apologize for the weeks of not knowing what’s going to happen in terms of funding because we had trouble getting a bill we had to pass that had the money in it. Some of our very conservative members were holding it up but we got it done finally,” Mr. Biden said. “We’re still in, completely, thoroughly.”

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Mr. Zelenskyy, dressed in military-style olive pants and a black long-sleeve shirt, thanked the U.S. for financial support and standing “shoulder to shoulder” with Ukraine.

“It’s very important, it’s so necessary — for the feeling of our people — that we are not alone,” Mr. Zelenskyy said.

The U.S. has given Ukraine over $100 billion for its war effort, though Russia seized momentum in recent months.

Mr. Biden blamed House Republicans for their reluctance to authorize more funding. Yet others say the administration has been slow to commit major weapons systems, allowing Moscow to gain an advantage at critical junctures.

Mr. Biden recently gave Kyiv the green light to use American-provided weapons for limited strikes on Russian territory, though he said the strikes should be limited to border areas.

That step brought a furious response from the Kremlin, which warned that Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II could spin out of control.

The U.S. will send about $225 million in military aid to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Thursday. The latest package includes munitions for the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS, as well as mortar systems and an array of artillery rounds, officials said.

Meeting Friday, Mr. Biden praised Mr. Zelenskyy and his people for their refusal to buck under the strain of Russian attacks.

“The Ukrainian people have been incredibly brave,” Mr. Biden said. “It’s impressive.”

Mr. Biden and Mr. Zelenskyy attended the 80th anniversary events of D-Day in Normandy on Thursday, along with European leaders who have supported Kyiv’s efforts in the war.

Mr. Biden pledged not to “walk away” from Ukraine, drawing a direct line from the fight to liberate Europe from Nazi domination to today’s war against Russian aggression.

Ukraine depicts its fight against the Kremlin’s forces as a clash between Western democratic freedom and Russian tyranny. Russia says it is defending itself against a menacing eastward expansion of the NATO military alliance.

In a 20-minute speech Friday at the National Assembly, the lower house of the French parliament, Mr. Zelenskyy drew a parallel between the sacrifices made during World War II and his country’s current fight.

“This battle is a crossroads,” Mr. Zelenskyy said. “A moment where we can now write history the way we need it. Or we can become victims of history as it suits … our enemy.”

Mr. Zelenskyy, who spoke in Ukrainian, was frequently interrupted by lawmakers’ applause and cheers. He prompted a standing ovation when he said in French: “Dear France, I thank you for standing by our side as we defend life.”

France has committed about $19 billion to Ukraine’s war effort, which includes France’s share of E.U. support, according to the KJiel Institute’s Ukraine Support Tracker.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced late Thursday that France will provide Ukraine with its Mirage combat aircraft.

Mr. Macron has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine. He said in February that putting Western troops on the ground in Ukraine is not “ruled out.”

Mr. Zelenskyy began a day of meetings in Paris with an official welcome ceremony at the golden-domed Invalides monument, the site of Napoleon’s tomb.

During the day, Mr. Zelenskyy was due to visit the Nexter arms manufacturer in Versailles, which makes the Caesar self-propelled howitzers that are among the weapons provided by France to Kyiv’s forces.

He was also to meet with Macron at the Élysée Palace.

Mr. Zelenskyy’s foreign trips aim to keep Ukraine’s plight in the public eye, secure more military help for its fight against Russia’s invasion and lock in long-term Western support through bilateral alliances.

France and Ukraine in February signed a 10-year bilateral security agreement. Mr. Zelenskyy has since signed similar bilateral agreements with many European countries.

• This story is based in part on wire service reports.