U.S. aid to Ukraine: House Speaker Johnson gives White House an ultimatum

Speaker of the US House of Representatives from the Republican Party Mike Johnson threatens to withdraw support for new funding for assistance to Ukraine if the White House does not agree to strengthen border security. This was reported by The Guardian with reference to a letter from Johnson to the director of the US Office of Management and Budget, Shalanda Young, UNN reports.

Although Johnson does not specify what policies he wants to see adopted, he refers to the Border Security Act, which would require the resumption of construction of the wall on the border with Mexico, first proposed by Donald Trump, and would limit the ability of asylum seekers to stay in the United States - all proposals are opposed by Democrats and the Biden Administration.

"Additional funding for Ukraine is contingent upon passage of fundamental changes to our nation's border security laws," Johnson wrote in a letter to Young, adding that he first informed her of these demands in late October.

Johnson said the open U.S. border is an unconscionable and unsustainable disaster. He wants  "an immediate end to this madness."

"Instead of engaging with Republicans in Congress to discuss logical reforms, the Biden administration has ignored reality, preferring instead to engage in political posturing. We are ready and willing to work with the administration on a robust border security package that protects the interests of the American people," Johnson added.

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The US invited Zelenskiy to speak at a closed briefing for senators.

Earlier, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan saidthat the US could cut off arms supplies to Ukraine. Without action by the US Congress, the US will run out of resourcesto provide more weapons and equipment to Kyiv by the end of the year.