* Biden and Zelensky end their afternoon of meetings with joint press conference
* Biden slammed Republicans for holding up funding for Ukraine, saying 'if you're being celebrated by Russian propagandists, it might be time to rethink'
* Zelensky shot down any suggestion Ukraine would give up its territory to make a peace settlement with Russia: 'That is insane' Joe Biden said
Vladimir Putin is 'banking on the U.S. failing to deliver for Ukraine' and accused Republicans of 'turning their backs on freedom's cause.'
In a press conference with Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House the U.S. President said 'extreme' Republicans would be 'judged harshly' by history for trying to make military aid to Ukraine conditional on there also being a plan for more security at the border with Mexico.
Biden said 'holding Ukraine funding hostage' was not the way to get a deal on security for the southern American border and attacked what he claimed was Republicans' 'partisan' agenda.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: I am definitely surprised that all that Zelensky got out of this trip after being told by the White House to show up was a measly $200 million .... Biden Administration Announces New Security Assistance for Ukraine (US Department of Defense). I expected at least $1 billion. Not surprising. Russian media is taking note on this low number .... Biden pledges $200 million for Ukraine after Zelensky meeting (RT).
Update: It looks like Ukraine's aid package will only be looked at after the Christmas and New Years holidays .... Ukraine aid threatens to fall through cracks as Republicans, Democrats play blame game (FOX News).
Update #2: I also noticed the change in language from the US President .... Biden promises Ukraine support 'for as long as we can' but subtle language change will make Zelenskyy shudder (SKY News).
Update #3: Supporters in the media of providing aid to Ukraine are signalling alarm .... US credibility is on the line in Ukraine funding debate (AP).
U.S. President Biden Pushes For Aid To Ukraine
Zelensky, Biden give joint press conference as US aid for Ukraine hangs in the balance -- France 24
Biden warns of "Christmas gift" to Putin as GOP shrugs off Zelensky visit -- Axios
Joe Biden says US will back Ukraine 'as long as we can' -- Financial Times