U.S. President meets with Congress leaders on aid to Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden discussed his request for billions of dollars in funding for Ukraine and other national security measures at a meeting with congressional leaders, the White House said.
"In the meeting, President Biden underscored the importance of Congress ensuring Ukraine has the resources it needs—including air defense and artillery capabilities… The President discussed the strategic consequences of inaction for Ukraine, the United States, and the world," the statement said.
Biden said that "Congress's continued failure to act endangers the United States' national security, the NATO Alliance."
"The President called on Congress to quickly provide additional funding to support Ukraine and send a strong signal of U.S. resolve," the White House said.
In turn, according to U.S. media, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, after a meeting with Biden, said that the situation at the U.S. border remains his top priority. "We must insist that the border be a top priority," he said.
Meanwhile, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said the Senate could vote as soon as next week on a national security spending bill combining border measures with military assistance for Ukraine and Israel.
In turn, the leader of the Democrats in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said that at the meeting in the White House there was "tremendous focus on Ukraine."
"I am more optimistic than ever before that we come to an agreement. I put the chances a little bit greater than half now, and that's the first time I can say that," he said.