Biden Claims Not Passing Ukraine Funding Would Be Putin's Christmas Gift

President Joe Biden expressed his support for more military funding in Ukraine as its President Volodymyr Zelensky visited U.S. lawmakers this week.

Biden argued that not providing funding for Ukraine would be the greatest Christmas gift to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Failure to pass Ukraine funding bill would be "greatest Christmas gift" to Putin, Biden says during Zelenskyy visit - CBS News https://t.co/OuJ7jUWram

— Christy ✨ (@christy03772) December 13, 2023

"The decisions we make now are going to determine the future for decades to come, particularly in Europe," Biden said in a meeting with Zelenskyy Tuesday afternoon.

"And this is one of those moments. Congress needs to pass the supplemental funding for Ukraine before they break for the holiday recess, before they give [Vladimir] Putin the greatest Christmas gift they could possibly give him," he added.

Speaker Johnson unswayed about Ukraine Aid after meeting Zelensky. Johnson stands firm, no Ukraine funding until our Border is Secure. Biden is intentionally creating Chaos! https://t.co/9leuN1ViHh via @MailOnline

— David Musiker (@DavidMusiker) December 12, 2023

"I reiterated to him that we stand with him and against Putin's brutal invasion," Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said after meeting with Zelensky.

But he added: "I have asked the White House since the day that I was handed the gavel as speaker, and for clarity, we need a clear articulation of the strategy to allow Ukraine to win."

An effort to combine defense funding for Ukraine with Israel and Taiwan was stopped in the Senate by Republicans.

Instead, Biden authorized $200 million from existing funds that did not require a vote as lawmakers debated whether to approve any additional funding.

Republicans are fighting to negotiate more help with border security before making any decisions on Ukraine.

The tension could result in neither area getting funding until next year as many lawmakers appear ready to leave Washington for the holidays without any progress on Ukraine.