The GOP still isn't ready to approve a massive aid package, saying they need to beef up the U.S. Mexico border

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🗞 UKRAINE PLEADS FOR U.S. SUPPORT

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky made a last-ditch effort to get some much-needed aid for his war-torn country before the winter recess in DC. But despite his urgent plea, Republicans say they don’t want to approve President Biden’s massive aid package unless Democrats agree to strengthening the U.S. border with Mexico.

BIDEN & ZELENSKY
President Joe Biden reiterated US support for Ukraine in a news conference with Zelensky at the White House.

Earlier on Tuesday, Biden announced an additional $200 million in drawdown funds for Kyiv.
He warned during the news conference that Russian President Putin is counting on the US to fail to provide support to Ukraine.

CONGRESS WON’T BUDGE
GOP lawmakers won’t budge without immigration and border policy changes — though, many on both sides still agree that aid to Ukraine is necessary to ward off further Russian aggression in the region.

Since Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration has sent more than $75 billion in cash and equipment to the country.
- About 40% of U.S. aid has not been for military purposes, rather for humanitarian needs and economic support.
The approximately $110 billion bill has over $50 billion in security and economic assistance to Ukraine (along with money for Israel, Taiwan and the U.S. border).

TIME IS RUNNING OUT
The U.S. “will run out of resources to procure more weapons and equipment for Ukraine and to provide equipment from U.S. military stocks," by the end of the year.

About a third of Ukraine’s budget comes from U.S. assistance.
- Without additional funds, Kyiv might not be able to pay basic salaries for doctors, first responders and others.
Russia’s invasion has devastated Ukraine’s main sources of revenue— the export of grain and wheat.

WHAT NOW?
Last week, the U.S. State Department announced an additional $175 million in security assistance to Ukraine, including air defense munitions and ammunition, but warned that without congressional action “this will be one of the last security assistance packages we can provide to Ukraine.”

EUROPE: After months of political wrangling, the E.U. officially started a lengthy process to deliver on its pledge to use money derived from frozen Russian central bank assets toward the reconstruction of Ukraine. It could provide up to 15 billion euros for Ukraine.

CHANGE IN ATTITUDE
Americans’ views on the war there have shifted, particularly among Republicans. There is growing fatigue around the war, with 64% of Americans saying neither side is winning and many questioning how long it will take to end.

41% of all Americans say the U.S. is doing too much, and 62% of Republicans say so.
- That’s risen from 24% in August 2022 and 29% in June 2023.
33%, down from 43% in June, say the U.S. is doing the right amount.
25% believe the U.S. isn’t doing enough.

UKRAINE’S PROBLEMS
The challenges facing Zelensky go beyond political rifts in Washington.

Kyiv Mayor, Vitali Klitschko, said that Ukraine is turning toward authoritarianism, and at “some point we will no longer be any different from Russia, where everything depends on the whim of one man.”
Corruption and embezzlement schemes have pledged top officials. In January, Zelensky fired more than a dozen senior officials.
- 78% of Ukrainians hold Zelensky accountable for government corruption.
The head of the military, Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, said the war was in a stalemate, which Zelensky rebuked.
Zelensky’s five year term is up in 2024, but the Ukrainian legislation bans elections during martial law and Zelensky agrees.
- Gen. Zaluzhny has not expressed political ambition, but has ranked second to the president in opinion polls.

Map of Ukraine’s fight to keep Russia at arms from 11/14/23. Via: BBC

NEXT STEPS IN WAR
The war continues: Just yesterday, Ukraine's biggest mobile network operator was hit by what appeared to be the largest cyberattack of the war, knocking out mobile and internet services for millions and the air raid alert system in parts of Kyiv.

With the flow of desperately needed weapons from the U.S. in doubt, Ukrainian soldiers spread along hundreds of miles of frozen trenches on the front lines are struggling to keep a deadlock from shifting in Russia’s favor.

Ukraine’s months-long counteroffensive failed in its goal of retaking territory lost to the Russian army.
- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says Ukraine has recaptured 50% of the territory that Russia seized.
Many in Ukraine fear that they could be forced to negotiate with Russia if Western partners, including the U.S., perceive the battlefield as having stalled.
Zelensky has insisted the war’s only acceptable outcome will be the return to Ukraine’s 1991 borders.

⏳ SPEED READ

🚨NATION

📌 Harvard board keeps president as leader of Ivy League school following antisemitism backlash (AP)

📌 In a win for Democrats, New York's top court clears way for a new congressional map (NBC NEWS)

📌 Biden to meet families of American hostages amid renewed push for a deal (AXIOS)

📌 Judge rebukes Giuliani over ‘defamatory’ comments he made about Georgia election workers during defamation damages trial (CNN)

🌎 AROUND THE WORLD

📌 Biden warns Netanyahu that Israel is losing support worldwide and its government must 'change' (NBC NEWS)

📌 Polish far-right lawmaker extinguishes Hanukkah candle in parliament (ABC NEWS)

📌 United Nations demands humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza (REUTERS)

📌 Global climate summit is in overtime as bitter division over fossil fuels delays agreement (CNN)

📱BUSINESS, SCIENCE & TECH

📌 Wall Street hits fresh 2023 highs after inflation data (REUTERS)

📌 Sports Illustrated publisher fires CEO in latest round of exec terminations following AI scandal (NBC NEWS)

📌 Discovery of pliosaur skull in UK reveals massive Jurassic predator (USA TODAY)

📌 Delta flight carrying 270 diverted to remote Canadian town (ABC NEWS)

🎬 SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT

📌 Jennifer Aniston reveals she and Matthew Perry were texting the morning of his death: 'He wasn't struggling' (FOX NEWS)

📌 Bridgerton season 3 promises to serve tea as Netflix unveils its two-part premiere date (PEOPLE)

📌 ‘Big Bang Theory’ star Kate Micucci reveals she was diagnosed with lung cancer (CNN)

📌 Are Ye and Ty Dolla $ign releasing their 'Vultures' album? What to know amid controversy (USA TODAY)

🗓 ON THIS DAY: DECEMBER 13

1956: The film drama Anastasia was released in American theatres; it marked the Hollywood comeback of Ingrid Bergman, whose extramarital affair had caused a scandal, and she won an Academy Award for her performance.

1966: Jimi Hendrix wrote and recorded "Foxy Lady" at CBS Studios. The title was misprinted as "Foxey Lady" on the U.S. version of the album Are You Experienced.
1992: Goaltender Manon Rheaume becomes first woman to play in pro hockey game.
2003: Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was captured by U.S. forces during the Iraq War; three years later he was found guilty of crimes against humanity and was executed.