Biden urges Congress to authorize more funds for Ukraine in 2024 as soon as possible

WASHINGTON. Dec 29 (Interfax) - United States President Joe Biden again urged the U.S. Congress on Friday to speed up the endorsement of additional financing for Ukraine in 2024.

The U.S. will not be able to continue sending Ukraine weapons, including air defense systems, unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, Biden said in a statement available on the White House website on Friday. "Congress must step up and act without any further delay," he said.

Earlier in December, U.S. National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said the Biden administration expected Congress to authorize support for Ukraine in early January.

As reported before, senators from both parties concluded that they would have to revisit the allocation of funds for providing more assistance to Ukraine in January, after a recess for the Christmas and New Year's holidays. The U.S. Senate is expected to resume sessions on January 8.

The House also made it understood it would revisit the matter in 2024.

In October, Biden released an additional funding request for Congress, which includes a $61.4 billion package of financial aid for Ukraine for one year.