Biden calls Putin a "bandit" and urges Congress to support funding for Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
US President Joe Biden urged Congress to immediately pass a bipartisan national security bill that includes aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and humanitarian aid for Gaza, calling on every member of Congress to stand up to Vladimir Putin.
The U.S. Congress should immediately pass a bipartisan national security bill that includes assistance for Ukraine. And I continue to urge every member in this room to stand up to Vladimir Putin. This was stated by US President Joe Biden during a joint event with Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson in the Capitol building, UNN reports with reference to Voice of America
During his speech at the event dedicated to the meeting with the Prime Minister of Ireland Leo Varadkar , Joe Biden noted that "wherever there is a desire for freedom, wherever there is a call for progress, people around the world can always count on Ireland and the United States to be on their side."
The event, titled "Friends of Ireland Lunch," which was also dedicated to St. Patrick's Day, Ireland's national holiday, was an opportunity to make new statements about Ukraine.
Biden thanked the Irish leadership for their assistance to Ukraine and emphasized that he was "determined to continue to do our part.
"I am convinced that the vast majority of ... members of Congress are ready to do their part, and I continue to urge every member in this room to stand up to Vladimir Putin. He is a thug!" Biden said.
The U.S. President called on congressional representatives to "immediately send" him the passed national security bill, which includes additional funding for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan, and humanitarian aid for Gaza.
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A proposal for more than $60 billion in additional funding for Ukraine passed a vote in the Senate almost a month ago, but House leader Michael Johnson refused to put the bill to a vote.
"The bill provides funding for Ukraine and Israel and, perhaps, no less important humanitarian aid for Gaza. They are very, very much needed. And it sends a clear message: America stands for freedom, and we bow to no one, no one in the world," Biden emphasized.
At the same time, speaker Mike Johnson did not mention Ukraine in his speech at the event, although he spoke about world peace.
"In many ways, our hearts are heavy right now... because stability is threatened in Europe and the Middle East, and our allies and friends like Israel and Taiwan continue to fight for their right to exist. And I know that everyone in this room is committed to the same thing, we know that we must all stand up for national sovereignty and work for peace," Johnson said.
