During his State of the Union address on March 7, President Joe Biden urged Congress to take a firm stand against Vladimir Putin.
"I say this to Congress," Biden declared. "We have to stand up to Putin. Send me a bipartisan natural security bill. History is watching. If the United States walks away, it will put Ukraine at risk. Europe will be at risk. The free world will be at risk...My message to President Putin: We will not walk away. We will not bow down. I will not bow down. And in the literal sense, history is watching."
Despite the U.S. Senate passing a foreign aid bill that allocates $95 billion to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, House Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed bringing the bill to a vote in the House of Representatives.
This delay has exacerbated the challenges faced by Ukraine, including ammunition shortages and the loss of the strategic city of Avdiivka.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, after visiting Lviv in February, warned that without continued U.S. support, Ukraine's efforts against Russian advances could falter. He called on the House Speaker to expedite the vote on the aid package.
Biden stressed the urgency of supporting Ukraine, warning that Putin's ambitions extend beyond Ukraine and pointed to the importance of providing Ukraine with the means to defend itself.
"Ukraine can stop Putin if we stand with Ukraine and provide the weapons and the means to defend itself. That is all Ukraine is asking. They're not asking for American soldiers. In fact, there are no American soldiers in the war in Ukraine, and I'm determined to keep it that way. But now, assistance is being blocked by those who want to walk away from our world leadership."
With about $4 billion left in the presidential drawdown authority (PDA), the Pentagon is exploring ways to continue aid to Ukraine, even as it awaits Congressional approval for additional funding.
In his address, Biden also criticized former President Donald Trump's previous approach to Russia, particularly his comments on NATO allies and defense spending. Biden reaffirmed America's commitment to NATO and its foundational role in maintaining peace and democracy.
"Bowing down to a Russian leader– I think it's outrageous, dangerous, and it's unacceptable. America is a founding member of NATO, the military alliance of democratic nations to prevent war."
