Missile strikes in Ukraine show Putin 'must be stopped,' Biden says
U.S. President Joe Biden has strongly condemned the latest Russian missile strikes on Ukraine, labeling them a "stark reminder" of Russian President Vladimir Putin's unrelenting agenda to obliterate Ukraine. Biden’s remarks came amidst the largest aerial assault on Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022, which tragically claimed the lives of 31 civilians and injured over 120.
Speaking during his vacation in St. Croix, President Biden stressed Putin’s unchanged objective to subjugate the people of Ukraine and insisted on the urgent need to stop him. He applauded Ukraine's use of air defense systems, provided by the United States and its allies, in successfully intercepting many of Russia’s missiles and drones.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Biden urged Congress to approve continued support for Ukraine. He warned of dire consequences if urgent action is not taken, stating that the U.S. would not be able to sustain the supply of essential weapons and air defense systems to Ukraine without immediate Congressional action.
The Biden administration announced a commitment of up to $250 million in arms and equipment to Ukraine in the year's final aid package. However, Biden emphasized the need for an additional $61 billion in aid, a request currently stalled due to Republicans' demands for tighter security on the U.S.-Mexico border.
The White House has cautioned that U.S. aid for Ukraine’s fight will cease by year-end without further appropriations, despite Congress having already sanctioned over $110 billion since Russia's invasion. The political shift in the House of Representatives, now under Republican control as of January 2023, has further complicated the approval of new funds.
President Biden also underscored the broader implications of the conflict, extending beyond Ukraine to the NATO alliance and European security, and even posing risks to the United States. He emphasized that history would judge harshly those who ignore the call for freedom.
In a related development, Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, also in St. Croix, discussed reports of a missile entering Polish airspace with Polish Secretary of State Jacek Siewiera. Expressing solidarity with Poland, Sullivan pledged technical assistance and confirmed President Biden's close monitoring of the situation.