US President Joe Biden urged Congress to take “emergency” steps to overcome differences over military aid to Kiev, considering that the missile attack launched by Russia on Friday morning indicates its desire to “wipe out” Ukraine.
“Unless Congress takes emergency steps next year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems that Ukraine needs to protect its people,” Biden said in a statement, calling on Congress to act “without any further delay.”
On Friday morning, Russia launched a series of strikes on a number of Ukrainian cities, including Kiev, using an “unprecedented number of missiles,” killing at least 30 people and wounding 160 others, according to the latest Ukrainian official toll.
Biden emphasized that this was “the largest air attack on Ukraine since the war began” in February 2022.
The US President considered the attack “a stark reminder to the world that after nearly two years of this devastating war, the goal of Russian President Vladimir Putin remains the same: he wants to wipe out Ukraine and subjugate its people.” “It must be stopped.”
Biden believed that Americans should feel “proud” of the assistance provided by the US military to Ukraine in order for it to fight for its “freedom and independence.”
He stressed that many issues are at stake in this war, such as the future of NATO and the security of Europe and the United States, explaining, “When dictators and tyrants are allowed to act as they please in Europe, the danger of directly dragging the United States increases.”
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken also strongly condemned the horrific Russian strikes across Ukraine, saying in a tweet on the “X” website, “As Putin continues his brutal war of aggression, we must support Ukraine in defending itself. Congress must act in the new year.” .
It is noteworthy that Republicans in Congress obstructed the Democratic administration’s efforts to provide more military aid to Ukraine.
Republican lawmakers want to halt support and have refused to approve a new package unless Democrats first agree to tough measures to curb migration across the southern border of the United States.
On Wednesday, the United States announced the release of $250 million in military aid, the last package available to it at a time when Congress must decide whether to continue supporting Kiev in repelling the Russian invasion.
In addition, the White House confirmed that the US National Security Advisor contacted his Polish counterpart after Warsaw confirmed that one of the missiles launched by Russia towards Ukraine had crossed its airspace. A statement explained that Jake Sullivan expressed US solidarity with Poland, “our close NATO ally.”
On Friday, a senior United Nations official condemned Russia’s “horrific attacks” on Ukraine after widespread strikes that left at least 30 people dead, according to Kiev.
The Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mohamed El-Khayari, said: “Unfortunately, the horrific attacks that occurred today were only the latest in a series of escalating attacks launched by the Russian Federation,” according to what Agence France-Presse reported in his words.
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2023-12-29 20:20:38
