"Not after the Christmas eggnog": White House urges US Congress to approve aid to Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
The White House called on Congress to act on critical aid to Ukraine after Putin reiterated his goal of continuing his "brutal and barbaric invasion" until his goals are achieved. John Kirby emphasized the global consequences of inaction and the direct threat to international order and democracy
The White House drew attention to the statements of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and once again called on U.S. congressmen to approve important assistance to Ukraine. This was stated by John Kirby, Strategic Communications Coordinator for the White House National Security Council, during a briefing on December 14, UNN reports.
"Let me turn to the issue of Ukraine. Today, at his annual press conference, Vladimir Putin reaffirmed his goal of conquering Ukraine and subjugating its people. Almost 20 months after he launched his brutal and barbaric invasion, Putin said today that his aggression in Ukraine will not end and there will be peace only when, quote, "our goals are achieved." End quote. We all know what that means," Kirby said.
But I sure hope that those House Republicans who held critical aid to Ukraine hostage for months heard Putin's message loud and clear. Instead, they are going home for the holidays, and Ukrainians are returning to the fight. (...) They need our help. And they need it now, not after the eggnog- said the White House representative.
He emphasized that "if that's not enough to move you or change your mind, think about our own interests."
"We know that what is happening in Ukraine is not only happening in Ukraine. This is not someone else's war. Putin is challenging the very international order we helped build. He is challenging the UN Charter. He is challenging the very notion of sovereignty. He is challenging democracy itself," Kirby said.
"russia is seeking to change the international order to create a world favorable to a highly personalized and repressive type of autocracy. This would have profound consequences for freedom and prosperity everywhere. Thus, we cannot afford not to help. Imagine the cost in blood and treasure, in the lives of our own troops and our NATO allies, if we simply walk away from this effort, if we simply allow Putin to take over Ukraine, to wipe it off the map as an independent country," he emphasized.
The White House spokesperson recalled the words of US President Joe Biden that "we know from history that when dictators don't pay a price for their aggression, they just keep on acting."
"And make no mistake, Putin is not the only one - he is not the only one who is watching what is happening here and how it is happening. Other nations, friends and foes alike, will undoubtedly learn lessons from our own ability to stand up here, or our inability to stand up. Inaction is also an action. It is high time we acted to protect our national security interests," Kirby concluded.
