Biden calls upon Congress to ‘act urgently’ on Ukraine aid

Published December 30, 2023
UKRAINE’s President Volodymyr Zelensky visits a frontline in the town of Avdiivka, on Friday.—Reuters
UKRAINE’s President Volodymyr Zelensky visits a frontline in the town of Avdiivka, on Friday.—Reuters

WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden called upon Congress on Friday to “step up” and overcome divisions on sending aid to Ukraine, saying the massive Russian air attack demonstrates that the Kremlin hopes to obliterate the pro-Western country.

“Unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending the weapons and vital air defence systems Ukraine needs to protect its people. Congress must step up and act without any further delay,” Biden said in a statement.

The latest barrage raining down on Ukraine was the “largest aerial assault on Ukraine since this war began”, Biden said.

The “brutal attack” included missiles with hypersonic capability, the US president said.

“It is a stark reminder to the world that, after nearly two years of this devastating war, (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s objective remains unchanged. He seeks to obliterate Ukraine and subjugate its people.

He must be stopped,” Biden said.

The Democratic party leader said that Americans should be “proud” that US military aid has helped Ukraine fight for its “freedom and its independence”. The stakes, he said, include the future of the Nato alliance and the security of Europe and the United States: “When dictators and autocrats are allowed to run roughshod in Europe, the risk rises that the United States gets pulled in directly.” Republicans in Congress are blocking a renewal of US military assistance for Ukraine.

A final shipment from funds previously approved, worth $250 million, was announced on Thursday. Without congressional action, the future of US assistance is now in question.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

No time left
Updated 06 Feb, 2025

No time left

Climate change concerns continue to remain a footnote as politics dominates national discourse, surfacing only when disaster strikes.
Karim Aga Khan
06 Feb, 2025

Karim Aga Khan

PRINCE Karim Aga Khan was a man who straddled various worlds and cultures. Beyond his role as spiritual leader of ...
Cotton production
06 Feb, 2025

Cotton production

PAKISTAN’S cotton crop is on the ropes. The crop output has been falling since FY15, when the country harvested a...
Kashmir question
Updated 05 Feb, 2025

Kashmir question

The important thing is to continue dialogue process, on bilateral disputes, Kashmir issue, and move beyond rigid positions.
Letters from jail
05 Feb, 2025

Letters from jail

OVER the past week, former prime minister Imran Khan has directly addressed his concerns to both the chief justice ...
Agriculture tax
05 Feb, 2025

Agriculture tax

WITH Sindh and Balochistan finally approving changes to their agriculture income tax laws to harmonise their AIT...