The Ukrainian president was in Washington to meet with his US counterpart as well as Republican leaders in a bid to push the US Congress to free military aid for Kyiv. DW has the latest.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived at the White House on Tuesday after talking to senior US lawmakers amid a deadlock on proposed aid for Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden told Zelenskyy that it would be a "Christmas gift" to Russia's Vladimir Putin if Congress fails to pass fresh military aid for Kyiv.
Speaking in the Oval Office at the White House, Biden said to Zelenskyy that "we are going to stand at your side" even as Republicans block a new $60 billion (€55.6 billion) package of assistance for war-torn Ukraine.
Biden also told the Ukrainian president not to give up hope in his country's fight against Russia's invasion, saying the US Congress should fund additional aid. Biden also announced $200 million in separate military assistance for the country.
Meanwhile, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said it would be "practically impossible" for Congress to pass a supplemental funding package including aid for Ukraine before Christmas.
McConnell told reporters that a deal will not happen until Biden reaches agreement with Republicans, who want to link funding for Ukraine to new border security measures.
Source: Dw
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