Ukraine needs help now, "not after the eggnog" – White House

The statements of the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin regarding the goals of the war did not go unnoticed by the White House, which called on Congress not to delay in approving new aid to Ukraine.

Source: Ukrinform news agency, citing John Kirby, White House National Security Council Coordinator

Quote: "Nearly 20 months after he launched his brutal and barbaric invasion, Mr. Putin said today that his aggression in Ukraine will not end and there will only be peace, quote, "when our goals are achieved."  

"But I sure hope that those House Republicans who have, for months, held hostage critical assistance to Ukraine heard Putin’s message loud and clear."

Details: Kirby noted that while members of the House of Representatives go home this week for the Christmas holidays, the Ukrainian people will continue to experience attacks of their peaceful cities where Russia targets critical infrastructure.

"They [the Ukrainians] need our help. And they need it now, not after the eggnog," Kirby stated.

Kirby also emphasised that the events in Ukraine are not a foreign war.

Quote: "Putin is challenging the very international order that we helped build. He’s challenging the U.N. Charter. He’s challenging the very notion of sovereignty. He’s challenging democracy itself."

Details: If dictators like Putin succeed, "that would have profound effects on freedom and prosperity everywhere." That is why the US cannot afford to refuse aid. In this regard, Kirby recalled the words of President Biden that when dictators do not pay for their aggression, they simply move on.

Kirby said the entire world – both rivals and friends of the United States – is now watching to see if Congress can approve the president's request for additional funding.

"Inaction is action too.  It’s well past time for us to act in defense of our national security interests," the White House representative said.

Previously: The White House criticised Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson's refusal to support the Senate Democratic leader's call for a one-week extension of both houses of Congress to pass the additional funding before Christmas.

Background: 

• Earlier, US President Joe Biden called on the members of the US Congress not to postpone the decision on additional funding to help Ukraine, but to make it before the Christmas holidays.
• The US Congress is unlikely to approve an additional funding package for Ukraine before Christmas, even if the two parties strike a deal in the coming days that includes it, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said.
• The main stumbling block between Republicans and Democrats is the regulation of migration at the southern border of the United States.
• At a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Tuesday, Biden announced that he had signed a decree on allocating US$200 million in military aid to Ukraine.
• After meeting with Zelenskyy, Biden said that his administration would continue to help Ukraine but warned that opportunities to do this were running out due to the lack of additional funding approved by Congress.

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