Biden called on the Congress to pass supplemental funding to Ukraine before they take break for holidays, ABC News reported
Seated in the Oval Office alongside Zelenskyy, Biden said, "Congress needs to pass supplemental funding to Ukraine before they break for holiday recess, before they give [Vladimir] Putin the greatest Christmas gift they can possibly give him"
"And because we've seen what happens when dictators don't pay the price for the damage and the death and the destruction they cause. They keep going, when no price is paid," he added, according to ABC News report
The aid package requested by the White House has stalled on Capitol Hill as Republicans call for changes in border security and immigration policy in exchange for the passage of funding for Ukraine, according to ABC News report
Zelenskyy also urged Congressional leaders to allow the passage of funding for Ukraine. However, Republican lawmakers emerged from the closed-door talks seemingly undeterred by tying the aid to significant border changes
Biden also announced a USD 200 million military package under the Presidential Drawdown Authority. Zelenskyy thanked the US and other partners for their support and called it a "special day" for Ukraine, with almost 600,000 soldiers now fighting in the ongoing war against Russia
Zelenskyy said, "This is their day, and they prove every day that Ukraine can win." As Zelenskyy arrived in the White House, Biden warmly greeted him. Biden thanked the US for its "unwavering support" for Ukraine. Notably, the US has been offering military and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine ever since the war between Kyiv and Moscow started
Taking to X, Zelenskyy stated, "I am glad to be back at the White House and meeting with @POTUS Joe Biden. I am grateful to the U.S. for its unwavering support for Ukraine, including USD 200 million military aid package announced today. In the Black Sea, we defeated the Russian fleet
"Our maritime exports have resumed, bolstering both our economy, which is now growing at 5 per cent, and global food security. We are moving in the right direction, and in our talks with President Biden today, we are discussing ways forward. We have clear and attainable priorities for 2024, including depriving Russia of its air superiority and thwarting its offensive operations; jointly producing arms; and using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine. Freedom must be well-armed and well-defended," he added
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