Blocking aid to Ukraine a threat to free world: Biden

Republicans refuse to approve $US60bn for Kyiv until the president bows to their demands to measures to curb migration at the Mexican border.

Mike Johnson arrives at the West Wing on Wednesday. Picture: AFP

President Joe Biden warned Republicans on Wednesday that blocking vital US military aid for Ukraine threatened the “free world” as talks with congressional leaders at the White House failed to produce a breakthrough.

US assistance for Ukraine has dried up with Republicans refusing to approve Mr Biden’s request for $US60bn ($91bn) for Kyiv until the Democrat bows to their demands for measures to curb migration over the Mexican border.

The bitter partisan battle has been intensified by the looming US presidential election in November, and has raised deep concerns among Western allies who fear it could harm Kyiv’s fight against Russia’s invasion.

Mr Biden told the House and Senate leaders that the months-long standoff “endangers the US’ national security, the NATO alliance, and the rest of the free world,” the White House said.

“The President called on congress to quickly provide additional funding to support Ukraine and send a strong signal of US resolve. The President also made clear that we must act now to address the challenges at the border.”

Republican House speaker Mike Johnson said it was a “productive meeting” but insisted Biden needed to do more on migration. “We must insist that the border be the top priority. I think we have some consensus around that table,” he said outside the West Wing after the meeting.

Democrat Senate leader Chuck Schumer said there was “broad agreement in the room” that the two parties had to find a bipartisan solution. “The President himself said over and over again that he is willing to move forward on the border,” Senator Schumer said.

Senator Schumer and his Republican counterpart Mitch McConnell had both indicated that a vote on Ukraine aid, along with changes to immigration policy, was a growing possibility.

Mr Biden’s chief of staff Jeff Zients, national security adviser Jake Sullivan and director of national intelligence Avril Haines also took part in the talks.

Mr Biden has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin will benefit from the chaos over Ukraine funding, saying it could encourage Moscow and other authoritarian regimes to make territorial grabs.

He bundled the Ukraine aid with money for Israel’s war against Hamas and measures to strengthen the Mexican border as part of a $US110bn package he proposed to Congress in October.

AFP