12:32 PM ET, December 29, 2023
Biden says the attack on Ukraine shows Putin's intentions in the country have not changed
From CNN's Kevin Lipduck
US President Joe Biden said the latest on Russia Airstrikes on Ukraine — the largest since the full-scale invasion began — is a reminder of Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions in the country.
“Nearly two years after this devastating war, it is a stark reminder to the world that Putin's intent remains unchanged. He seeks to destroy Ukraine and subjugate its people. He must be stopped,” Biden said in a statement Friday.
He took advantage of the occasion and again called for Congress to pass Additional aid to UkraineHe said US-supplied defense systems intercepted several Russian drones and missiles launched on Friday.
“The American people can be proud of the lives we have saved and the assistance we have given to Ukraine in defense of its independence and freedom,” he wrote. “But unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will not be able to continue sending Ukraine the weapons and vital air defense systems it needs to protect its people.”
Biden has requested nearly $60 billion in new aid to Ukraine, but the funding has stalled amid negotiations over tightening US immigration rules.
Lawmakers left Washington without agreement on new funding.
In his statement, Biden sought to underscore the global implications of Ukraine's conflict: “The stakes of this conflict extend far beyond Ukraine,” he wrote. “They affect the integrity of the NATO alliance, Europe's security and the future of the transatlantic relationship.”
Missile over Poland: US National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan told Poland's foreign secretary on Friday that the US stands united as Russia investigates a missile that temporarily entered its airspace during the attack.
A White House readout said Sullivan “promised the necessary technical assistance and assured his Polish counterpart that President Biden is following this issue closely.”
The Polish military says an “unidentified aerial object” entered Polish airspace from Ukrainian territory early Friday morning. “All signs” indicate that it was A Russian missileAccording to Poland's most senior military officer.
