December 29, 2023, 12:32 p.m. ET
Biden says the attack on Ukraine shows Putin's goals in the country remain unchanged
By CNN's Kevin Liptak US President Joe Biden said Russia's latest airstrike on Ukraine – the largest since the all-out invasion began – was a reminder of Russian President Vladimir Putin's intentions in the country.
“It is a stark reminder to the world that after almost two years of this devastating war, Putin's goal remains unchanged. He is trying to wipe out Ukraine and subjugate its people. It must be stopped,” Biden said in a statement on Friday.
He used the opportunity to again call on Congress to provide additional aid to Ukraine, saying U.S.-provided defense systems intercepted many of the Russian drones and missiles fired on Friday.
“The American people can be proud of the lives we have helped save and the support we have given Ukraine as it defends its people, their freedom and their independence,” he wrote. “But unless Congress takes urgent action in the new year, we will be unable to continue sending the weapons and vital air defense systems Ukraine needs to protect its people.”
Biden has requested nearly $60 billion in new aid for Ukraine, but funding has stalled amid negotiations over tougher U.S. immigration rules.
Lawmakers left Washington without an agreement on the new funding.
Biden tried to highlight the global implications of Ukraine's fight in his statement: “The stakes of this fight go far beyond Ukraine,” he wrote. “They affect the entire NATO alliance, the security of Europe and the future of transatlantic relations.”
Rocket over Poland: U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan told Poland's foreign minister on Friday that the U.S. stands in solidarity as it investigates a missile that temporarily entered its airspace during the Russian attack.
Sullivan “pledged technical assistance as needed and assured his Polish counterpart that President Biden is following this matter closely,” the White House said in a statement.
According to the Polish military, “an unidentified flying object” entered Polish airspace from Ukrainian territory in the early hours of Friday morning. “All signs” point to it being a Russian missile, Poland’s top military officer said.