Joe Biden sends Ukraine weapons aid as Poles warn of Russia threat
- Pentagon to give Ukraine US$300 million in weapons, sidestepping Republicans in Congress
- In White House visit, Polish President Andrzej Duda pushes Nato to ramp up spending
US President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday a US$300 million emergency weapons package to prop up Ukraine while Congress blocks further aid, as Poland’s leaders visited the White House to warn of the growing threat from Russia.
Biden said the stopgap shipment of missiles, shells and ammunition for Kyiv was “not nearly enough” and would run out in a couple of weeks, leaving Ukraine outgunned by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invading forces.
The Democrat urged Republicans to stop blocking his larger, US$60 billion aid package for Ukraine, which has been caught up in a bitter partisan fight ahead of a likely election rematch against Donald Trump in November.
“We must act before it literally is too late,” said Biden, 81, as he met Poland’s President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the White House.
“Russia won’t stop at Ukraine. Putin will keep going, putting Europe, the United States and the entire free world at risk,” added Biden, backed by Polish and US flags and flanked by his top military and diplomatic officials.