MOSCOW, December 12. /TASS/. Regardless of what happens at today’s meeting between President Joe Biden of the US and President Vladimir Zelensky of Ukraine, Russia will stay the course with its special military operation, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"It’s certainly important that everyone realize that the tens of billions of dollars that were previously pumped into Ukraine did not help it achieve any success on the battlefield. The tens of billions of dollars that Ukraine wants to be pumped into its economy will be equally doomed. We understand perfectly well how this process goes," he noted.

"It cannot change the situation on the battlefield or the course of the special military operation. Of this we are certain," the Russian presidential spokesman said, when asked what effect the Biden-Zelensky meeting could have on the special military operation.

However, Peskov pointed out that the Kremlin would keep a close eye on the upcoming meeting between the US and Ukrainian leaders. "Of course, we will follow it closely," he said.

Earlier, the Washington administration announced that Biden had invited Zelensky to the White House on December 12. On the same day, the Ukrainian president is scheduled to address the US Senate. Meanwhile, a number of Republican members of the House of Representatives and the Senate have recently spoken out against providing financial aid to Kiev. Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has repeatedly warned of plans to tie any further Ukraine aid with tougher measures to control the US’ southern border. Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has also made similar statements.