Biden to meet Poland's leaders on NATO funding against Russia

 

U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday will meet Poland's president and prime minister to show solidarity for Ukraine in its battle against Russia and discuss ways to increase funding for NATO against the ongoing threat from Moscow, Paralel.Az reports citing Reuters.

The White House meeting between Biden and Polish President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Donald Tusk comes as Biden presses to overcome Republican hardliners in Congress who are stalling $95 billion for Ukraine weaponry and aid to Israel.

"The leaders will reaffirm their unwavering support for Ukraine’s defense against Russia’s brutal war of conquest," the White House said, noting the three leaders will coordinate ahead of the annual NATO summit, to be held July 9-11 in Washington.

Speaking before the talks, Polish Foreign Minister Radislaw Sikorski urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to allow a vote on the Ukraine funds, but toned down an earlier plea in which he said Johnson would be blamed if the bill failed and Russian troops advanced.

"If the American package doesn't arrive ... Ukraine might be in difficulty, and that might eventually mean the need for more American troops in Europe," he told reporters at a Monitor breakfast.

Sikorski also appealed to Johnson's Baptist faith, saying that Russia "persecutes religious minorities, including Baptists" in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine.

The Senate passed the bill containing $60 billion in security aid for Ukraine last month in a bipartisan vote. Johnson, an ally of former President Donald Trump who opposes more help for Ukraine, has refused to put it to a vote.

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